Brussels water prices to rise by 14.5% this year

The cost of mains water in the Brussels region will increase by 14.5% this year, supplier Vivaqua has confirmed.

Vivaqua, which has the monopoly for water distribution in the Brussels region, asked for permission earlier this year to put up its rates.

It justified the higher price by noting that water rates were not indexed in line with inflation at any point between 2014 and 2019.

The water firm is also heavily indebted and, due to rising inflation, is facing higher costs for servicing its debts.

The 14.5% price increase has now been approved by Brussels energy and water regulator, Brugel. The regulator has also approved future price increases of 4.1% in 2024 and 2% for the following two years.

According to Brugel, the price rise will mean a two-person household, with an average annual consumption of 70m³, will pay an extra €43 for their water bill this year.

Despite the price rise, Brugel has warned that Vivaqua's finances remain unstable.

The regulator stressed there was "an urgent need to think about the financing and cost structure of Vivaqua and, in broader terms, the organisation of the Brussels water sector".