German study compares water prices of six European countries

European water prices are compared. Despite the same policy framework differences between the water sector in European Member States are tremendous. The German organisation for water and energy BDEW recently published a study focusing on transparent prices of drinking water and waste water in England/Wales, France, Austria, Poland, Germany and the Netherlands.

Drinking water appears to be the cheapest in The Netherlands and the most expensive in France. According to the report, the actual and average price every individual in The Netherlands annually pays is 71 euros, while the French get a yearly bill for their drinking water of 104 euros. Due to these differences studying water prices requires a specific approach. BDEW did not only reveal the actual average, annual price of drinking water and waste water treatment but also the price of cost recovery and a third price which includes cost recovery and the level of performance.

Cost recovery
Only the Netherlands is complying to cost recovery (including investments in infrastructure) when it comes to the production of drinking water. Germany is really close. All the other countries should invest if they want to achieve the same level of performance as the Germans. Especially in England/Wales and France investments are necessary.

Wastewater
Looking at the price of wastewater the actual, average price an individual pays is the highest in Austria and the lowest in England/Wales. None of the countries is able to realise cost recovery and in order to comply with European regulation, it will be inevitable to raise prices in the future. Looking at the performance all countries, except Poland, need to invest in their infrastructure.