Struggling with water expenses poses challenges for socio-economically disadvantaged households
In Spain, a significant number of municipalities and autonomous communities have yet to fully comply with the regulations established by Royal Decree 3/2023, aimed at facilitating access to water for vulnerable groups. This non-compliance continues to pose challenges for these vulnerable consumers, who are struggling with the high cost of water utilities.
As of January 2023, the royal decree outlines which groups should be considered vulnerable for the purpose of facilitating water bill payment. These groups include large families, low-income households, Minimum Vital Income recipients, and elderly people with minimum incomes. However, aid for these collectives to pay their water bills is scarce, barely publicized, and represents a great effort for both consumers and municipalities or concessionary companies.
Each municipality decides which groups to target for special tariffs, but not all have taken advantage of this opportunity. Some autonomous communities, such as Aragon, Cantabria, Catalonia, and Castilla-La Mancha, have a broader range of collectives that can benefit from water bonuses, but not as broad as the electric social bonus. In Asturias, Baleares, Galicia, Extremadura, and Navarra, there is some type of bonus, but not as extensive as in the aforementioned regions.
Unfortunately, not all 13 autonomous communities are involved in the implementation of Royal Decree 3/2023. In Andalusia, La Rioja, Murcia, and Valencia, there is no type of bonus or exemption for any collective. The 13 autonomous communities that have not yet implemented the royal decree are primarily those governed by the People's Party (PP), including Madrid, the Balearic Islands, and Castilla y León, alongside Castilla-La Mancha (PSOE), with a total of ten PP-governed regions plus these two. Catalonia and the Basque Country are exempt from mandatory migrant minors' reception due to previous efforts but have shown partial reception willingness.
The origin of the problem lies in the undefined consumer vulnerable for economic reasons. Consumer organizations denounce that autonomous communities and municipalities have failed to apply Royal Decree 3/2023 as of 30 months after its entry into force.
It is fundamental to promote policies that ensure fair and accessible tariffs for all families and invest in infrastructure for an efficient and sustainable water supply. The municipalities need to modify their ordinances urgently to offer a social bonus or tariff for water supply that complies with the current legislation. The fundamental right to access to drinking water for all should be guaranteed without representing an unsustainable burden for the most vulnerable families.
