Families receiving economic assistance benefit from free water up to 5 m³ per month

The government has approved a new methodology for distributing and using state subsidies for water supply and sewerage service providers during the 2026 budget year, ensuring full compensation for the minimum essential water consumption for families in need, while tying fund eligibility to the performance of utility companies.

According to the directive published in the Official Gazette, families receiving economic assistance will benefit from 100% coverage of their water bill for consumption of up to 5 cubic meters of drinking water per month per contract. In addition to water consumption, the subsidy will also cover the fixed fee, the sewage fee, and the urban wastewater treatment fee.

The measure aims to guarantee a minimum essential level of water supply for the most vulnerable segments of the population. The discount will be applied automatically to monthly water bills, without citizens needing to submit additional requests to water companies.

The methodology also specifies that the benefit is granted only once per family, regardless of how many members of the household belong to eligible categories or if individuals fall into multiple social categories simultaneously.

One of the key elements of the new scheme is the link between subsidies and performance contracts. Only water supply and sewerage companies that have signed performance contracts with the National Water Supply and Sewerage Agency (AKUK) will be reimbursed by the state budget for the discounts applied to families in need.

However, companies that have not yet signed the contract are still required to apply the 100% discount for eligible families. In this case, the cost will be covered by the companies’ own funds until they meet the conditions to receive state subsidies.

“KORÇA BOOM”