Increasingly expensive water bills. In 2013 spending increased by an average of 2,7% on an annual basis for over 20 million inhabitants served. This was announced by the Electricity and Gas Authority (Aeeg) which, starting next year, will adopt a new tariff method with four different types of schemes, making bills more transparent. The calculation will also include the investments, estimated at 25 billion euros, necessary for the modernization of the water network.
To cover such a significant amount, however, tariffs alone are not enough, as underlined by Guido Bortoni, president of the Authority: “Together with the tariff measures, the Authority proposes the development of new options, such as hydrobonds which could be launched by financial institutions, such as the CDP, or by water managers to support investment in the network. All citizens will be able to join these ". The Authority would also like to provide hydrobonds with a preferential taxation on interest, in order to attract greater investments.
Investments needed to "purify wastewater in a manner worthy of a modern country and achieve decent quality standards". Otherwise, the risk is that of "sanctions by the EU".
