Greek Consumer Questions Answered Over Water Supply Charges

EYDAP, Greece’s largest water utility, has issued clarifications on its proposal to the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY) for a revision of water supply and sewerage tariffs for the 2025–2029 period, responding to public concerns about possible increases in household bills.

According to a related announcement, based on its proposal:

• Consumption charges for both water and sewerage will remain unchanged.

• Tariffs for economically vulnerable and disadvantaged groups (beneficiaries of social tariffs, large families, elderly citizens) will be reduced, as any fixed charges will be eliminated, and consumption rates across all usage brackets will remain the same.

• Only the water supply fixed charge will increase by €1, and a €1 fixed charge for sewerage will be introduced per month, plus VAT, to ensure that fixed charges correspond to significant infrastructure projects that need to be carried out, mainly due to prolonged droughts and severe flooding caused by the climate crisis.

• Approval of EYDAP’s allowable revenue until 2029 and the tariff policy to be applied will be determined following a relevant decision by RAAEY.

EYDAP also provided 17 questions and answers regarding the tariff adjustments:

1. Why is the EYDAP tariff adjustment necessary?
The adjustment is intended to further strengthen the resilience of Attica’s water and sewerage system, ensuring it remains safe and resistant to climate change challenges and adverse phenomena such as drought. Notably, for over a decade, no further improvement interventions had been carried out on the network, unlike other countries, resulting in a considerably aged water and sewerage system today.

For this reason, EYDAP is implementing a €2.5 billion investment plan for major upgrades and modernization of the existing network, replacing old pipelines, reducing water losses, and introducing digital monitoring.

With the gradual completion of the planned projects, water leaks will be drastically reduced, excavation work minimized, and disruption to neighborhoods across the Attica basin significantly lowered.

2. How much will my bill increase?
The water and sewerage bill will only be adjusted by a €1 increase in the water supply fixed fee, and a €1 fixed fee for sewerage will be introduced per month, plus VAT, to reflect the cost of necessary infrastructure projects due to prolonged drought and severe flooding caused by the climate crisis. Consumption rates per usage bracket will remain unchanged.

For vulnerable households, which are the focus of EYDAP’s social policy, the fixed fee will be eliminated, and consumption charges will remain the same, effectively reducing the bill.

Citizens should note that even after the proposed adjustment, EYDAP tariffs will remain the lowest among major European cities, even lower than other Greek cities including Thessaloniki, while ensuring high-quality drinking water and excellent sewerage services.

3. Will only households pay for the projects?
EYDAP implements projects to ensure equal access for all customers to affordable, high-quality water. Tariffs for non-residential customers are adjusted to encourage major water consumers to adopt methods for rational water use, aiming to save significant quantities.

4. When will I see the change on my bill?
As EYDAP bills quarterly, the changes will gradually take effect from January 2026, depending on the meter reading schedule for each household.

5. What do citizens gain from this increase?
Citizens benefit from:

• A safer and more resilient network

• Reduced leaks and fewer faults

• Maintained high water quality

• New digital services

• Assurance that Attica will not run out of water during crises

At the same time, EYDAP tariffs remain the lowest among major European cities.

6. Are social tariffs affected?
Fixed charges will be eliminated for beneficiaries of social tariffs (EEt, large families, elderly), meaning they will pay less as their fixed fee is zero, while consumption rates remain unchanged. EYDAP continues its social policy to ensure no household loses access to high-quality water and excellent sewerage services.

7. Shouldn’t water be a public good?
Water remains a fully public good, and its public character is guaranteed by the Constitution. Prices cover only the costs of collection, treatment, transport, and security of water, and proper wastewater management. The better and more resilient the networks, the better the services. Despite the adjustment, EYDAP continues to provide the cheapest water among major European cities.

8. Is drought the reason for the tariff adjustment?
Intensifying climate change conditions, which led to Attica being declared in drought, strain Athens’ water system due to extreme weather and create future uncertainty. Aging infrastructure necessitates increased investment in water and sewerage. Since 2019, EYDAP has intensified its investment program, multiplying its absorption of investments compared to previous years, aiming to maintain a resilient, modern network.

9. How do I know I’m not paying for non-existent projects or unjustified expenses?
For the first time, EYDAP operates under direct State supervision and is overseen by the independent RAAEY, ensuring that all costs are justified and every euro is invested in real service improvements. EYDAP publishes annual financial and environmental reports, assessed internationally according to standards of transparency and efficiency.

10. Why not reduce operational costs instead of adjusting tariffs?
EYDAP systematically invests in infrastructure upgrades to improve efficiency. However, rising energy costs and 28% inflation since 2008, combined with unchanged tariffs in real terms since 2008, reduced the relative cost for consumers without compromising service quality. The adjustment is necessary to fund resilience and climate adaptation projects. Even adjusted, tariffs remain lower than those in 2008 in real terms.

11. Will there be further increases in the future?
No further adjustments are expected until 2029. The new tariff policy set by RAAEY aims to ensure stability and predictability. EYDAP commits to keeping water affordable while absorbing external pressures (energy, climate change, infrastructure).

12. Will the increase be permanent or temporary?
The increase is permanent but will be reviewed periodically and every five years by the Regulatory Authority to ensure fairness. The next review period begins in 2030.

13. What would happen if the adjustment was not applied?
Maintaining the same prices would negatively affect daily life:

• Water and sewerage infrastructure would deteriorate, causing more breaks, leaks, and service interruptions

• EYDAP’s operations would be downgraded, reducing service levels and halting investment projects

• The company would move from profits to losses due to rising costs absorbed over the last 15 years without burdening consumers

14. Which tariffs will be adjusted?
The adjustment applies to all water and sewerage tariffs (residential and non-residential), as determined by RAAEY, except social tariffs (EEt, large families, elderly), which will become even more favorable.

15. What is “allowable revenue”?
Allowable revenue is the money EYDAP must collect from consumers to cover operating costs and fund necessary investments to provide safe, high-quality water across Attica and manage urban wastewater sustainably. It is calculated based on the return on investments and services provided, ensuring affordability. All costs are scrutinized by RAAEY to confirm their validity.

16. Where will detailed information about the adjustment be published?
Once RAAEY makes its decision, the new tariffs will be published on EYDAP’s official website and in informational brochures, allowing full transparency.

17. Will there be an annual report on where our money goes?
Yes. EYDAP already publishes annual financial, investment, and environmental reports detailing where every euro is spent, so citizens know which projects and services are funded.