Residents' call for cheaper water

TAP water prices in San Miguel de Salinas are 208% higher than the national average, and 251% higher for residents of the urbanisations in Las Filipinas, who pay a different tariff.

The disparity was revealed by the San Miguel Arcángel residents’ association, who have called on the council to revise the fees for the water supply and use of the drains.

This comparison is based on a study by consumer action group FACUA in 2019 of 53% of Spanish towns, which found an average price of €15.46 for water and drainage for monthly usage of 10 cubic metres with an individual 13 millimetre meter. In San Miguel the most recent tariff was approved in 2015 and charges a house in the same situation €32,21 – or €38,90 in Las Filipinas. The association is calling for a cheaper, single tariff that does not discriminate against the 3,000 homes in these urbanisations.

They also want the bylaw regulating the concession of the service to be revised to reflect that the tariffs are charges for a public service and not a tax.

“A decade after the start of the concession, neither the company nor the town hall has reported the accounts of the service,” said association spokesman Manuel Gómez.

“Nor has the contract been made public, even though it is obligatory to publish it and our association has repeatedly requested a copy.”

The prices have not been approved by the regional government prices commission either, which is required by regional legislation.

The town hall is also accused of ignoring reports about this which it was sent from the national consumer department (DGC) and the regional ombudsman (Síndic de Greuges) in response to complaints from the association.

“We also demand that they repay users for the excessive tariffs which have been applied since the start of the concession to the temporary joint venture Gestagua-Generala,” he added.