Service Costs

In order to transform water found in the natural environment (either as surface water or groundwater) into a food product, it first needs to be made safe to drink. This means it has to be abstracted under good conditions, treated and then distributed to consumers 24/7 whilst at all times adhering to health quality standards.

This service comes at a cost. The same is true for wastewater services. This consists of collecting the wastewater, then treating it before releasing it back into the natural environment.

In a way, consumers "borrow" the water they use in so far as they consume a quality food product which then has to be released back into its original environment once treated.

The broad application of the concept of free water has shown that by its very nature free access to water services leads to water being wasted, as there is no individual sense of responsibility among consumers.

Moreover, it prevents water services from receiving the necessary financial resources to maintain a quality service. Whether managed by a private or public operating company, water services generate costs. It is the responsibility of the relevant public authority to set out how to fairly distribute the recovery of these costs from everyone involved.