NOTICE: Water becomes more expensive for Sarajevo Canton citizens from July 1, Government decides!

(Patria) - At today's session, the Government of Sarajevo Canton adopted a decision on the adoption of a corrected price list for the utility activity of drinking water supply and wastewater disposal and treatment, provided by the public utility company "Vodovod i kanalizacija" d.o.o. Sarajevo.

The proposed price list of the Independent Expert Body, which determined the cost price of water service delivery, was not accepted in its entirety, as its implementation would represent an excessive financial burden for households in Sarajevo Canton.

"Given the current economic circumstances, the Government decided, although the service price has not been corrected since 2013, not to implement the proposed increase in full," stated Mladen Pandurević, Minister of Public Utilities, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of Sarajevo Canton.

According to this adjustment, the service price for citizens in the Household category, for the largest number of users in the consumer category of 5-30m3, will amount to 1.66 KM per m3 instead of the previous 1.25 KM per m3, as well as the fixed part of the price, which was previously 2.00 KM and will now amount to 3.26 KM. The new price list will apply from July 1, 2025.

Minister Pandurević states that the reasons for adopting this decision are multiple.

Service prices have not been adjusted for 12 years, although in the meantime the costs of materials, labor, maintenance, and especially electricity, which accounts for a large portion of operating costs, have significantly increased.

Previous tariffs did not cover the depreciation of fixed assets used to provide services, which jeopardized the technical sustainability and development of the water supply system; wastewater treatment costs were not included in the prices, even though the Butile wastewater treatment plant has been operational since 2017 and represents an important segment of environmental and public health protection.

The adjustment of prices for these services covers all mentioned costs, and the financial sustainability of the cantonal public company that delivers these services was also taken into account. This price list also introduced two new categories of users: Utility companies in the field of water supply – due to their specific function and consumption volume, and Users at the Bjelašnica and Igman locations – given the accelerated development of these areas, the increased number of users, and the technically more demanding water delivery due to altitude and distance from the main network.

"The increase in the price of water is a politically brave but necessary decision that has been postponed for years. We did not accept the independent body's proposal for a price increase of over 67%, as that would be socially insensitive. The decision we made balances between the needs of the system and the protection of citizens. We expect the ViK company to urgently improve the quality of services, increase efficiency, and justify the trust of citizens. Water must be accessible, but also safe, and that requires responsible management and investments that can no longer be avoided," said Nihad Uk, Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton.

The Government remains committed to improving utility infrastructure, ensuring quality services, and protecting natural resources, in a partnership with citizens and utility companies.