Hot water delivery could be delayed

“Termocom” JSC could break its promise of resuming hot water supply by August 13. The company’s commercial manager Mihai Arusoi stated on Monday, August 6, in the City Hall meeting of the day that because of money insufficiency it is hard to restore all the main pipes in time. According to him, from all 78 identified faults in the system, only 13 were recovered. Re-delivering hot water remains uncertain until the capital administration pays at least a part of its 151 million lei debt to “Termocom”. Hot water delivery stopped on July 23, caused by the necessary testing of the equipment from Thermo-Electric Station (CET) 2 and from the thermal networks of “Termocom”. Termocom’s representatives mentioned that even though the population pays the fees for consumption at a 103% level, the company’s funds are insufficient. The population covers only 40-45% of expenditures, with the rest of the money expected to be paid by the local budget, according to the City Council’s decision to compensate the tariff increase to the heat supplier. If the City Hall doesn’t clear its debt, the heating season will also be put in jeopardy, says Mihai Arusoi. In his words, the thermo-electric stations (CET) will deliver heat this winter only in proportion to what is being paid for, meaning 40% of the necessary amount. In January 2007 the current tariff for heat was raised to 540 lei, but the people continue to pay only 233 lei for a G-calorie.