In their most recent move to contest “disproportionate and unfair” water charges, homeowners in small developments around Vale do Lobo have sent dozens of letters to the national water regulating authority (ERSAR). The new charges, enforced by municipal company Infralobo last month, represent a 30% hike in the residents’ water bills, which also cover expenses with the maintenance of public gardens and other infrastructures.
The property owners are calling on ERSAR to suspend the new tariffs and re-introduce the lower rates charged by the local council prior to April 1 – the day Infralobo’s tariffs came into force.
“We believe this action to be in breach of European and Portuguese competition legislation, with the prices imposed being significantly and unfairly different to those applied elsewhere by the same local authority,” read the letters, also sent to the Resident.
As we reported in April, residents of Vale do Garrão, Quinta Jacintina and Vilas Alvas, who used to pay their water bills to Loulé Câmara, were being “pushed against the wall” to sign new contracts with Infralobo.
If they refused to sign the contract, their water supply would be cut off, threatened Infralobo, the company in charge of infrastructures in Vale do Lobo.
Infralobo said that the new charges were due to water-guzzling gardens in the area’s plushest developments, although residents claim that most of their homes do not have gardens.
A similar letter had already been sent to the local council and Infralobo in mid-April but was left unanswered. In light of the lack of response from both entities, the residents decided to take the next step and reach out to ERSAR. A response from the water regulator had still not been received at the time of going to press on Wednesday.
Meantime, taps are still reported to be running for those homeowners who have yet to sign the contract with Infralobo. Michael Bruxo
