AySA proposes water tariff increases for millions in Argentina

Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos (AySA) has submitted a proposal to the Water and Sanitation Regulatory Entity (ERAS) to modify zonal coefficients, which could impact nearly two million residential users in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA).

The proposal anticipates an average increase of 22.6% for approximately 60% of residential users, with some specific cases seeing hikes as high as 149%. Under this plan, the average monthly bill for this group would rise from $29,116 to $35,710, excluding taxes. Conversely, about 20% of users could see an average reduction of 14.7%, while another 20% would see no change.

A key component of the reform involves replacing outdated zonal coefficients with a new classification based on 2022 Census data and INDEC information to better reflect household income and location. Additionally, the plan includes a gradual phase-out of a 15% discount currently provided to certain users.

The proposal comes ahead of the scheduled privatization of the company on November 13. During the public hearing, local officials, including Buenos Aires Province Minister Gabriel Katopodis and Esteban Echeverría Mayor Fernando Gray, criticized the move. They raised concerns regarding the potential halt of essential infrastructure projects and questioned the impact of the tariff changes on the population.