The price of raw water in Sardinia is increasing by an average of 24.6%. "This isn't just a tariff increase: this is an unprecedented blow that threatens to overwhelm the island's entire economic system."
The issue was raised by Fratelli d'Italia regional councilor Emanuele Cera, who reviewed a March 18 council resolution adopted following a December resolution by the Institutional Committee of the Sardinia Basin Authority, which approved the "cost recovery plan for the regional multisectoral water service (Simr)" regarding "unit contributions for users served by the Sardinia Water Authority (Enas)." The documents establish how much water costs, if not at the source, then certainly when it is stored before ending up in the pipes that carry it to homes, fields, and businesses.
The possibility of a tariff increase has been floating around for some time. In the midst of an international crisis, with inflation soaring, driven by energy costs, it's the worst time to make such an assessment. And the scale is also worrying.
"The numbers are merciless and leave no room for interpretation," the filed document states. "Straightforward, automatic, and indiscriminate increases apply to all categories. Civil, agricultural, and industrial. Everyone is affected, without exception. This measure affects anyone who produces, works, or simply lives in Sardinia."
Cera raises the level of the political conflict: "In the midst of an international economic crisis, with skyrocketing energy and fuel prices and geopolitical tensions blocking even strategic routes like the Strait of Hormuz, what is the Region doing? It's raising the cost of water. An incredible decision." The criticism of the agricultural sector is harsh: "We're not talking about abstract numbers here. We're talking about farms and livestock farms that are already struggling, and now they're seeing a further increase in the price of a vital resource. This means only one thing: less production, less income, less competitiveness, more closures."
And things aren't any better on the industrial front: "Companies will find themselves paying more to produce. It's inevitable: costs will rise, margins will shrink, and investment will slow down. The result? Less competitiveness and greater job losses."
The Oristano councilor openly speaks of political superficiality: "In such a delicate moment, courageous decisions are needed to support the economic system. Here, however, they are acting carelessly and have decided to take the opposite path: by doing so, they are seriously harming citizens and businesses with a sharp, uniform increase, without any protection."
Hence the request to the Regional Council: "This increase must be stopped; an immediate review is needed, based on fair and gradual criteria. Continuing on this path will jeopardize the entire productive Sardinia."
One clarification: the upstream increase could be offset within the supply chain leading to the taps. But that's not certain.