France is going through a period of unprecedented winter drought. The low rainfall in recent months, combined with a particularly dry summer, has not allowed groundwater to regenerate sufficiently. This is why some departments have decided to take measures to "avoid finding themselves in catastrophic situations" this summer. This is the case of the metropolis of Montpellier, relays France Inter.
In the 14 municipalities of the metropolis, the inhabitants have 15,000 liters of free water each year. Once this volume has been exceeded, the tariff becomes progressive by tranche since the beginning of 2023. The more we consume, the more the price increases, indicates René Revol, mayor of Grabels and president of the Régie des Eaux de Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole with the radio. Pricing "both social and ecological". “The first fifteen cubic meters are free for all subscribers. Then there is a progressiveness: up to 120 cubic meters, it's 95 euro cents per cubic meter, from 120 cubic meters to 240 cubic meters, 1.40 euro, and beyond 240 cubic meters, it's 2.60 euros per cubic meter, "says the mayor.
�� The Metropolis has chosen to offer eco-solidarity pricing to fight against waste �� @RegiedeseauxM3M subscribers with an individual meter benefit from progressive pricing for their water consumption with the first 15 m3 free pic.twitter.com/TiVHnAU3mx
The city's goal is simple: to force heavy water consumers to reduce waste. “There are a lot of swimming pools here. I see people emptying their pool instead of treating the water, not hesitating to add water constantly. The prefectural decrees are more or less well followed, "he laments. Before completing: "People who waste water must pay more and thus develop an awareness of the economy of the resource. This is the logic of our pricing,” insists the mayor of Grabels. The metropolis of Montpellier ensures that these new prices will only affect large consumers with the ambition of seeing the water bill drop in 70% of homes.
