ArmInfo.The Armenian authorities will compensate for the increase in water tariffs in 2024 at the expense of the state treasury. O On March 28, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the decision to allocate AMD 1.1 billion to Veolia Djur, the unified water supply operator in Armenia (as was done in 2023), which will allow the tariff to remain at the same level.
On November 29, 2023, the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia adopted a decision according to which the price of the services of Veolia Djur CJSC for the supply of drinking water and drainage (wastewater treatment) remained unchanged in 2024 for socially vulnerable segments of the population - 180 drams, and 205,992 drams for other customers. At the same time, as noted, customers will continue to pay 200.47 drams per cubic meter, as before (from January 1, 2023). "Based on the results of preliminary discussions, the subsidy will be continued, and consumers will continue to pay the same amount - 200.47 drams in 2024," the Regulator said in a statement.
"The Government of Armenia, through a corresponding subsidy, neutralizes the increase in tariffs for consumers of retail services for the supply of drinking water and drainage (wastewater treatment) with the exception of consumers considered socially vulnerable families. As a result, the price of drinking water for consumers will not increase in 2024 ," noted in today's government decision.
Since January 1, 2017,, the new single water operator - the French "Veolia Djur" (a subsidiary of the French Veolia Enviroment SA), took over the management of the property of five existing operators for a period of 15 years: "Yerevan-Jur", "Armvodokanal", "Shirak Vodokanal" ", "Lori Vodokanal" and "Nor Akunk". At the same time, from January 1, 2017, a unified water tariff was established across the republic, and it was increased from 170.256 drams per 1 cubic meter of water to 180 drams for residents of Yerevan, including VAT. Participants in the process hastened to assure the citizens of the Republic of Armenia that this increase is based on their own interests, since the funds will be used to improve the system and expand the service network. After the announcement of the tender results, the company presented basic tariffs for 15 years, which are adjusted based on 3 factors - depending on the electricity tariff, inflation rate, and the volume of retail supplies in the water supply sector. From January 1, 2023, the water tariff for socially vulnerable categories of consumers remained at the level of 180 drams per 1 cubic meter, and for all others the tariff increased by approximately 8 drams per 1 cubic meter - from 200.47 drams to 208.419 drams per cubic meter (including VAT). On March 16, 2023, the authorities decided to compensate the increase in the water tariff in 2023 at the expense of the state treasury.