The Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC) approved higher water supply and sewerage charges. The new charges are provisional and will take effect when the relevant decision is published in the local media. Under an adopted amendment, these will be applied until the National Agency for Energy Regulation issues its notification, IPN reports.
Under the draft decision, the average charge for the public drinking water supply service will be 16.32 lei/m3, while for the sewage service – 6.62 lei. Respectively, the final charge will be 22.94 lei.
For non-residential users, the charge for water will be 16.32 lei, for sewerage - 10.26 lei and the final charge - 26.58 lei (without VAT).
PAS councilor Zinaida Popa, who voted against the decision, said that an adjustment is necessary, but the rise should not be so significant, while PPPDA councilor Andrei Năstase noted that the increases are not popular, but the city cannot be left without water and solutions should be identified at talks between the local public authorities and the central public authorities. The Socialists group voted in favor.
Attending the Council’s meeting, the mayor of Chisinau Ion Ceban said that these adjustments are necessary when the operational costs, including for electricity, are so high, while the water charge in Chisinau remains the lowest one. The kindergartens, schools and other social institutions and the residents cannot be left without water.
