Expect some increases in your water bill soon – AYA

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA – September 14th, 2012 – The Aqueduct and Sewage Company (AYA) announced yesterday that there will be progressive raises to the prices of water and sewage services. The president of AYA, Yessenia Calderon, said the price hikes come as a result of AYA needing to raise money to pay off the loan that is being used to fund the residual water plant in the Metropolitan area. The cost will be transferred to AYA customers.

The average cost could increase from a current 2,000 colones to 6.000 colones in the near future.

AYA says the project is incorporated in the AYA investment plan and is part of the rate investigation that has been presented to the Public Service Regulating Authority ( ARESEP) , and have been approved.

At this time, the average rate paid by customers (not to be confused with the basic rate) is 2,000 colones. This may increase to about 6,000 colones over the course of the next several years.

Just last month, ARESEP approved a 25% increase in water and a 77% increase for sewage.

That increase is expected to boost AYA revenues to 68 billion colones for this year, 44% more than the initial projections of 47 billion colones.

The Treatment Plant for Residual Waters, “Los Tajos,” comes with a price tag of $44,616,880 dollars, which is being financed by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.

The project is part of the Project for Environmental Improvement in the Metropolitan Area in San Jose and will benefit 1,200,000 inhabitants in 11 towns within the city, according to AYA.