What if this was the solution? Since 2023, Montpellier has applied an eco-solidarity tariff on water to try to preserve this resource which is drying up. In the 14 municipalities of the metropolis supplied with water by a public authority, the first 15 cubic meters are free, the price is then 0.95 euros per cubic meter between 15 and 120 cubic meters; it increases to 1.40 euros up to 240 cubic meters and to 2.70 euros beyond.
Result: Sophie Santos saw her bill rise slightly in her house with a swimming pool in Jacou, near Montpellier, where she nevertheless says she is “careful” about waste. Chrystelle Faure, despite her swimming pool, jacuzzi and garden in Murviel-lès-Montpellier, was on the contrary entitled to “around fifteen euros” reimbursement last year. But with three people at home, compared to five for the Santos family, consumption is not the same.
According to the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (Cese), progressive pricing can also prove “unfair” for large families. An argument swept aside by René Revol, president of the Montpellier water authority. “It is not they who consume the most water, but the large properties,” assures the elected official. Assistance based on the family quotient is also provided for individuals. “We are waiting for the implementing decree to use CAF data, but already, progressive water pricing has resulted in a reduction in the bill in 2023 for 70% of the population.”
Permanently watered lawns
It all depends on what you use it for. “In my town of Grabels, a resident empties his swimming pool every fall and constantly waters his lawn; others wash their cars every three days. It’s absurd, deplores René Revol. Fortunately, these practices are disappearing , consumption fell by 2% last year in the metropolis, and this is part of a general phenomenon of awareness of climate change.” Not enough to convince Thierry Uso, of the Eau rescue 34 collective. According to him, “it would be more effective to regularly raise awareness among households about need to consume less water.
Should this process be generalized, as recommended by the Head of State? Yes, replies Jean Jouzel to L’Express. “Progressive pricing of water seems entirely relevant to me in the face of this scarcity of the resource,” confirms the famous climatologist. No, thinks Cese, according to which the conditions are “not met”, in particular because the first returns on the experiments carried out are not convincing enough. “Several communities have adopted it, such as Dunkirk, where it led to a drop in demand in the first years, analyzes academic Alexandre Mayol. However, not all communities are following the same path. If Lyon will do the same the Next January 1, the metropolis of Bordeaux has reversed course. “The experiment was not conclusive. 41% of the metropolitan population lives in collective housing and could therefore not benefit from it,” explains Sylvie Cassou-Schotte, president of the Water Authority, on site.
“This is why it is important to have the meters individualized. We are supporting the social sector in this process,” explains the president of the Montpellier metropolis Michaël Delafosse (PS). At the same time, we are carrying out work to combat water leaks. , pricing is just one of the levers.” Toulouse has opted, for its part, for a seasonal price: water is more expensive there in summer. But Montpellier firmly believes in his approach. Michaël Delafosse warns: “We will not come back to this or else, we will have to beat me in the elections!”