The Andalucian Parliament has approved the Ley de Aguas (Water Law) which aims to unify the control and distribution of the water supply in the region and the price of water will be the same in all municipalities.
The government believes the new law will allow for better administration, greater savings and provide a more efficient and economic service to the consumer. It will do away with the current situation whereby municipalities can be charged different amounts by their neighbours.
The cost of water will be ‘homogenized’, which means it will rise, lower rates being raised rather than the higher rates being lowered. This will raise an estimated €800 million during the next five years. The Opposition PP describe the plan as a crisis tax increase.
Currently, between 85% and 90% of Andalucian municipalities have adequate purified water. The Junta de Andalucia is proposing to commit to the construction of 300 wastewater treatment plants at a cost of €1,500 million. Such projects would create 24,000 jobs according to the government.