Chișinău water bills may rise due to higher energy costs
Residents of Chișinău may soon face higher water bills as Apă-Canal Chișinău, main supplier, has submitted a request to the Moldovan National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) to increase tariffs.
The proposed adjustment would raise the price of potable water by 3.54 lei (~0,20 euro) per cubic meter, bringing it to 14.33 lei/m³ (excluding VAT) ~0,74 euro.
Municipal authorities justify the increase by citing rising expenses caused by higher electricity prices. Vice Mayor Irina Gutnic explained that less than a month after energy costs surged, Apă-Canal’s expenses grew by 140 million lei (€7.2 mln). While some cost-saving measures have helped mitigate the impact, she emphasized that a tariff adjustment is necessary to cover the financial gap.
Many residents express frustration, arguing that while prices continue to climb, wages and pensions remain stagnant. Others acknowledge that inflation and increased energy costs are affecting multiple industries.
Public concerns echo previous tariff hikes, with the last adjustment occurring two years ago when water prices increased by 4.60 lei (~0.25 euro) per cubic meter. ANRE is expected to review the proposal and make a decision in the coming weeks.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
