In a note on the study, revealed in the December Proteste magazine, Deco points out that for more than 10 years it has been alerting the authorities “to the high discrepancy between tariffs for water and sanitation services between municipalities in the national territory”.

According to the association, in 2022 the biggest disparity in prices, for annual consumption of 120 cubic meters (m3) of water, is between Vila do Conde (district of Porto), where the total value of the invoice is around €480.21, and Vila Nova de Foz Côa (Guarda), where you will pay €88.20 (both values ​​without VAT).

Regarding the sanitation fee, also included in this monthly bill, the highest amounts are paid in Póvoa de Lanhoso (Braga), corresponding to €186.89, for a monthly consumption of 10 m3.

In 2022, for a consumption of 120 m3 of water, a consumer from Vila do Conde pays €480.21 (€250.02 for water supply, 154.41 euros for sanitation, and 75.78 euros for waste tax), in the municipality of Baião (Porto) 453.32 euros, in Celorico de Basto (Braga) 451.10 euros, in Gondomar (Porto) 443.62 euros and in Trofa (also in Porto) 441.98 euros.

The municipalities with the cheapest values are Vila Nova de Foz Côa, with a total of 88.20 euros, Monchique (Faro) with 99 euros, Terras do Bouro (Braga) with 103.22 euros, Castro Daire ( Viseu) with 108 euros and Vila Flor (Bragança) with 114 euros.

Among the changes Deco suggests is the tariff regulation for the harmonisation of prices in the different municipalities, in order to promote the efficient use of this resource, which they consider “a universal right”.

“Adjusting the accounts for consumers is a question of equity, which can only be resolved with a tariff regulation”.

Deco has set up a tariff comparator so you can find out the difference in water prices between municipalities, at https://www.deco.proteste.pt/sustainability/lixo-sem-agua#district