WATER PRICE. Emmanuel Macron presents this Thursday, March 30 his “water plan” to improve water management in France. The question of price is one of the main questions.
[Mis à jour le 30 mars 2023 à 09h53] This Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 12:30 p.m., the Head of State Emmanuel Macron must present his “Water Plan” supposed to improve water management in France. A theme that is more topical than ever after the unprecedented episode of drought observed in France with more than 32 consecutive days without rain this winter. So, will the price of water increase in 2023? The answer is not yet known, but there is a good chance that prices will be impacted. “The main themes that the President of the Republic will discuss more particularly are the reuse of wastewater, leaks, the question of the price of water, the question of agricultural uses of water” indicates an Elysian source . Answer this afternoon.
In France, the cubic meter of water is offered, on average, at €4.14 according to the National Observatory of Water and Sanitation Services (Sispea). This rate varies between 3 euros and 6 euros per m3 depending on your municipality of residence. For a couple with two children, the average water consumption amounts to 120m3 per year. In other words, an invoice of 497 euros.
The price of water is fixed by deliberation of the municipal council, in each French commune. In 2022, price increases of 15% or even 20% have been voted, enough to cast serious doubts on your water bill this year. In Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme), for example, the price of water should rise by 10%. The water unions and communities also voted an impressive increase of 11% in Thouars (Deux-Sèvres).
This worrying increase can firstly be explained by the economic context. Inflation remains at a high level, 5.9% in December 2022 over a year. Also, water purification requires a fairly large amount of electricity. Electricity which also sees its price soar, despite the extension of the tariff shield. Pumps, used machines, chlorine and coal have seen their cost explode by 10% to 30% this year. Previous drought episodes have also contributed to this increase in the cost of water, due to the lack of volume.
Several associations have already stepped up to stem this phenomenon of rising water prices. Their goal, to ask for help from the government to stop the bleeding and reduce the bill for the municipalities. Problem, the networks that manage water in France are not subject to the 2023 tariff shield, put in place by the State to contain the rise in the cost of energy.
The city of Paris has its own municipal drinking water supply. For all types of daily use, Paris water costs less than 0.004 euros per litre. As of January 1, 2023, the total price per cubic meter of water amounts to 3.84 euros per m3 including tax excluding subscription. Despite the evolution of prices, water in Paris remains the cheapest in the metropolis.
Do you want to know the price of water near you and access the history of water bill rates in your municipality? Here are some examples to visualize the figures: water price in Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Rennes, Nantes, or water price in Lille. You can also search for the city of your choice using the search bar above by typing in a name or postcode. Also see our ranking of the cities where the most expensive water.