On January 1st, the Lyon metropolitan area introduced a new water pricing system with the aim of reducing consumption (see Blue News here). The first m³ are now free. The biggest consumers will pay for the others.
On January 1, the Lyon metropolitan area made a seemingly pleasant announcement. “The first cubic meters of water for our residents are now free, up to 12 cubic meters per home, to meet vital needs,” wrote Bruno Bernard, the Green president of the metropolitan area, on Twitter. ” Water is not a commodity like any other,” he added.
In this region, this precious resource depends on the river Rhône, whose flow rate is expected to drop by 20 to 30% by 2050.
On the social network, the announcement was greeted with comments that were at best doubtful. “If it’s free, it’s because some people pay more,” Internet users responded broadly. The free first cubic meters are in fact the first step in a progressive pricing system that will increase the price of major consumption. In the Lyon metropolitan area, below 12m³/year – knowing that the French use an average of 54m³/year – there will now be no need to loosen the purse strings. Between 12 and 180m³, it will be 1.29 euros excluding tax per m³. Above 180m³, the rate will double, to 2.59 euros excluding tax.
“A pricing system that distinguishes between uses ,” argues Anne Grosperrin, vice-president of the Greater Lyon Metropolis and president of the Greater Lyon Public Water Authority. Washing or drinking are among the basic needs. Washing your Audi or watering your begonias are among the recreational uses.
By 2035, the measure should encourage the 380,000 subscribers of the Public Water Authority to consume 15% less water. The Lyon metropolis is following in the footsteps of Dunkirk, Rennes, Montpellier. Of the 8% of municipalities that have chosen this model*. Why so few? Because it tends to penalize some users. Including large families.
