Partially free water, how will it work?

It’s still a project. But it is advanced enough for René Revol (LFI), chairman of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water Authority, does not mention it publicly. The thirteen municipalities of the metropolis of Montpellier gathered in the water department foresee a free part of their water consumption. “The first fifteen cubic meters of water would be free for everyone, for all the individual meters”, explains the elected, who is also mayor of Grabels.

For the major consumers, on the other hand, those with volumes of water disproportionate to the size of their household, penalties would apply on the excesses consumed. “It is in particular this equalization that would allow the financing of this measure,” continues the vice president of the metropolis. The terms are still to be defined. But for all users, the costs associated with sanitation and the subscription in particular will remain the responsibility. Therefore, even for small consumers, water will not be totally free.

Presented to the Metropolitan Council on 5 December

In mainland France, the distribution and sanitation of water has been under management for some municipalities since 1 January 2016. “With a lower water price, annual investments have been multiplied by five without going into debt this stage. We will take advantage of this surplus to make this price, “continues René Revol. For historical reasons and contracts in progress at the time of the handover, the other 18 municipalities of the metropolis remained connected to their own private water networks. They will therefore not be affected by this measure.

This project is expected to be presented to the metropolitan council on December 5th. The thirteen municipalities currently under management would be affected (Montpellier, Grabels, Jacou, Juvignac, Lattes, Le Crès, Montferrier-sur-Lez, Pérols, Prades-le-Lez, Saint-Brès, Sussargues, Vendargues, Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone ) . That is about 80% of the population.