MPs Fred Keup and Jeff Engelen from the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) recently filed a parliamentary enquiry concerned with reports about a 15% price increase for drinking water in 2023. Both politicians wanted to know whether these reports are accurate and if the government has plans to support people and businesses active in the agricultural sector.
Read: Standardised water price subject of ‘heated debates’ among municipalities
In her response (LUX), Minister for the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development Joëlle Welfring confirmed that an increase of 20 to 40 cents per 1,000 litres will affect water prices depending on the municipality. For a four-people household, the annual price difference will be €40 to €80, or €3 to €6 per month.
For that reason, there are no plans at the moment for a government support on water, explained the Minister in her response.
Minister Welfring further pointed out that tap water remains more affordable compared to bottled water: on average, one litre of tap water costs less than half a cent in Luxembourg while bottled water, on the other hand, costs 50 cents on average.
According to the Greens politician, the water price only has a limited affect on agricultural activities. She elaborated that awareness is being raised in the sector so that more rainwater is being used.
