Over the past eight years, the water rates in Italy have undergone a constant increase, with a total increase of 40% between 2016 and 2024. The figure emerges from the “XVI national ratio on water rates”, created by Federconsumatori in collaboration with the Isscon Foundation. The analysis highlights strong disparity between Italian cities and a water system characterized by growing costs, waste and fragmentation of management.
According to the study, the highest increase is recorded a Power (+72%)while the only city in which the rates decreased is Trento (-2%). To weigh on the increase in bills there are several factors, including water dispersion, the fragmentation of the managers and the absence of a national strategic plan.
Water rates: Federconsumatori data
The “XVI national report on water rates” analyzed the cost of water in all Italian regional capitals, taking into consideration a type family made up of three people with an average annual consumption of 150 or 182 cubic meters.
The average cost data for 150 m³ of annual consumption show that the most expensive cities are:
- Florence, with 564.04 euros;
- Perugia, with 511.79 euros;
- Genoa, 504.28 euros.
The least dear cities are:
- Milan, with 160.13 euros;
- Campobasso, with 191.18 euros;
- Naples, with 193.64 euros.
The average cost data for 182 m³ of annual consumption show that the most expensive cities are:
- Florence, with 763.41 euros;
- Perugia, with 618.09 euros;
- Genoa, with 614.07 euros.
The least dear cities are:
- Milan, with 177.15 euros;
- Naples, with 206.45 euros;
- Campobasso, 234.66 euros.
The investigation highlights that the water rates are higher in Central Italy, with an average of 463.84 euros for 150 m³ and 586.20 euros for 182 m³, while the North and South have more low costs. In terms of variation in the last eight years, the city with the highest increase is power (+72%), while the only one to record a reduction is Trento (-2%).
The critical issues of the water service in Italy
Federconsumatori’s investigation did not limit itself to recording price increases, but highlighted the main problems that make the water system inefficient and increasingly expensive for citizens.
One of the most urgent issues is water dispersion. According to Istat, in 2022 42.4% of the water introduced into the networks was lost, one of the highest data in Europe. Waste represents one of the Main causes of the increasessince the more water is wasted and the greater the cost for those who use it.
Another problem is the fragmentation of the management of the water service, with a high number of local managers operating with different standards. The lack of uniformity leads to a little efficient management and high costs for citizens. In many areas, the water network is obsolete and the investments for maintenance are insufficient.
Finally, access to water is becoming a problem from a social point of view. The increase in rates, combined with the economic crisis, is putting many families in difficulty, creating the risk of new inequalities. Water is an essential good, but its growing cost penalizes the weakest bands of the population.
