ERSAR introduces new regulation to harmonize water service tariffs

The Water and Waste Services Regulatory Authority (ERSAR) has published a new Water Services Tariff Regulation (RTA) to harmonize the rules for defining, reviewing, and updating water and urban wastewater sanitation tariffs. The regulation establishes binding rules and a common framework for all state and municipal management entities, aiming to create objective criteria while respecting the specificities of different management models.

The new framework seeks to balance economic accessibility for users with the efficient recovery of service costs. According to ERSAR President Vera Eiró, the goal is to increase transparency, predictability, and trust in tariff definitions, noting that these decisions directly impact both citizens' lives and the ability of managers to ensure service quality.

The regulation enters into force within 30 days. A transition period has been established, giving management entities until January 1, 2029, to adapt their tariff structures to the new rules. The new model must be implemented during the first regulatory period beginning after that date.