Suppliers of public utilities will be obliged to install and service meters gratis

The suppliers of public utilities will set up and service the meters free of charge, according to the new framework-regulations concerning the authorization, design, installation, reception and utilization of the equipment metering the water and thermal energy consumption approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, June 13. Anatol Izbanda, vice director of the Agency for Construction and Territorial Development, told the reporters that the regulations are designed to solve the disputes related to the working of the meters. The supplier will cover all the maintenance expenses only after the consumer allows the supplier to own the meter. When the working life expires, the meters will be changed at the supplier’s expense. The supplier can also change the meters which it considers defective. The consumers are not obliged to allow the supplier to administer the meter. The ones that will refuse to will cover the maintenance expenses by themselves, as up to now. Asked how much such a project will cost and if this will not have an effect on the tariffs, Anatol Izbanda said that though there are not concrete estimates, all the expenses will be covered by the enterprise. The quoted source also said that the implementation of the regulations will benefit the suppliers because they are interested in having functioning meters to avoid losses. Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev asked that the project should include sanctions against the officials and authorities that will not efficiently administer this area of activity. The regulations will take effect after published in The Official Gazette of Moldova.