Sofia Mayor Objects to Alleged Tariff Hike Request by Water Utility

Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova has objected to an alleged request for a 14% tariff increase of water utility Sofiyska Voda.

According to a media statement of the Sofia Municipality, Fandakova sent a letter Thursday to the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR) to oppose a 14% price increase requested by the company operating the capital's water supply and sewage systems.

Both DKEVR and Sofiyska Voda, however, have rejected the existence of a tariff hike request, according to reports of dnevnik.bg.

Sofiyska Voda charges household consumers BGN 1.76, VAT included, per cubic meter, and the service for industrial consumers costs BGN 2.08 – 2.52, depending on the degree of water pollution.

Thursday's media statement of the Sofia Municipality says that Fandakova objected to the alleged 14% price increase, saying that the company had sufficient reserves to fulfill its obligations under the business plan.

The Sofia Mayor calls on DKEVR to examine the efficiency and adequacy of the water utility's expenses.

Fandakova also encourages the watchdog to conduct an inspection of the water utility's activity together with Sofia municipal councilors.