Since January 1, 14 of the 31 municipalities of the metropolis of Montpellier (Hérault) have adopted new pricing for drinking water. In Montpellier, Grabels, Jacou, Juvignac, Lattes, Le Crès, Montferrier-sur-Lez, Murviel-lès-Montpellier, Pérols, Prades-le-Lez, Saint-Brès, Sussargues, Vendargues and Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, open its faucet should now cost less to residents who have an individual meter. Provided, however, to be reasonable. Thus, the first 15 m3 are free. Then, the price increases, depending on water consumption: 0.95 euro per cubic meter between 15 and 120 m3, 1.40 euro between 120 and 240 m3 and 2.70 euro beyond 240 m3.
For the metropolis, whose water management is public, the idea is to reward the most economical families, who will see their bills drop, and, conversely, to sanction the households which are the biggest consumers, whose pain could skyrocket.
“Social and ecological pricing”
“An average family, with two children, which consumes water quite normally, uses about 90 m3, explains to 20 minutes René Revol, the mayor (Nupes) of Grabels and vice-president of the metropolis in charge of water management. Those who spend more are those who water their garden, wash their car, fill their swimming pool… All of these are uses that must be reasoned, and for that, they have to be charged more. This new pricing is therefore both social and ecological pricing,” which also aims to avoid waste.
This device does not concern, however, users who have a collective meter. They will pay a little more than last year: 1.16 euros per m3, compared to 1.123 in 2022. In addition, aid for the payment of water bills, calculated according to the family quotient, will be paid this autumn by the Régie des eaux to homes that meet the criteria, whether they have an individual or collective meter.