The Aqueduct Corporation and Sewerage of Santo Domingo (Caasd) reported this Thursday the approval of a new tariff scheme that establishes the water charge per cubic meter (m³) and applies progressive increases in the price as the level of consumption increases, both for residential users as commercial and industrial.
The measure was contained in a resolution of the Board of Directors of the entity that redefines the billing conditions for the drinking water service, well water and sanitary sewage, and that marks a structural change in the way in which the cost of the service is calculated, moving from largely fixed or estimated rates to a volume based model consumed.
For the residential users with metered network water service, the rate was set at 6 pesos per cubic meter up to a consumption of 32 m³ per month. From that threshold, the price rises to 8 pesos per m³ for additional consumption.
In the case of businesses, the rate was established at 21 pesos per m³ up to the basic quota and 24 pesos per m³ for excess consumption.
For the industrial usersthe cost is 25 pesos per m³ up to the basic quota and 28 pesos per m³ for additional consumption, both for industries that use water as a raw material and for those that do not.
well water
The scheme also introduces a differentiation by type of source. For him well waterthe residential rate The measure remained at 1 peso per m³, while for commercial, official and industrial users it was set at 10 pesos per m³, both for basic and additional consumption.
Additionally, the resolution establishes a sewer charge sanitary equivalent to 30% of the amount billed for the water service in the case of residential usersand 50% for non-residential ones, as long as there is a network available in the area.
- The new tariff framework also includes a 2% monthly arrears on invoices more than 60 days past due, as well as court charges and service reconnection that vary depending on the diameter of the connection and the existence or not of a meter.
Impact of the measure
Although the Caasd has not yet published an evaluation on the aggregate impact of the measure, in the Santo Domingo province are already reported significant increases on the invoices.
In Herreraan apartment owner went from paying 144 pesos to 536 pesos in his last bill. Meanwhile, a company located in San Isidro reported that its monthly billing increased from approximately 5,000 pesos to more than 26,000 pesos after the application of the new scheme.
The corporation has not reported whether a transition period or adjustments are contemplated for users, while households and companies begin to request clarifications on the measurement methodology, consumption ranges and complaint mechanisms in the event of possible discrepancies between actual consumption and applied billing.
