Consumers rejoice: Metropolitan water rates set to decrease on July 1

In a couple days, customers of the Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) – which services the San José Greater Metropolitan Area – will see a decrease in their monthly water bills thanks to a 26 percent decrease in tap water rates and a 13 percent drop in sewage service rates that will take effect on Wednesday, July 1.

The Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) on Monday dismissed an AyA request to postpone the rate decrease until 2016, as studies found that AyA currently has enough funds to meet this year’s planned expenditures.

The reduced rates were authorized in July 2014 and initially were scheduled to take effect last January. However, ARESEP in December postponed the measures until July.

AyA in April filed a request to suspend the rate reduction until next year arguing that it would negate ₡16 billion ($30 million) in projected income for this year.

Following Monday’s decision ARESEP’s water services manager, Carlos Herrera Amighetti, asked AyA to justify each rate change request starting now. Those requests must be based on the agency’s investment plan for the next five years and on goals set to meet customers’ needs.

The new rates only affect residents in the San José Greater Metropolitan Area who are serviced by AyA.