Water bill increases coming!
ATHENS. The pricing will now be determined by decisions of the central government, according, at least, to the provisions of the bill for the merger of municipal water and sewerage companies (DEYA), which Kathimerini newspaper revealed yesterday.
The government’s belief that the management issues of municipal water and sewerage companies (DEYA) stem from local authorities using these services to pursue populist policies with reciprocal resources largely explains the imminent bill for the merger of DEYAs. The bill is expected to be submitted within the week, according to statements made to Enimerosi by the Secretary-General for Water, P. Varelidis, and the details of which is outlined in Kathimerini.
Specifically, the bill includes provisions regarding the pricing policies of the new DEYA, which must be drafted in accordance with the decisions outlined in a joint decree by the Ministers of Environment and Energy, National Economy and Finance, Interior, and Rural Development and Food. Consequently, following the voluntary increases in other municipal fees, a mandatory burden on consumers through decisions by the central government should now also be anticipated.
According to the bill, as reported by Kathimerini, the 126 existing DEYA will be divided into three categories. The majority will be merged to form Major Municipal Water and Sewerage Enterprises (MeDEYA). The second category includes those that will remain as they are, while the third involves a special arrangement for the Cyclades, establishing Local DEYA entities.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
