Data show water supply across Albania ranges from 4 to 24 hours/day with the average being at 10.72 hours in 2012, down from 11.4 hours/day in 2011
TIRANA, The water supply situation in Albania continues remaining critical, a report by the Water Regulatory Entity has shown. Data show water supply across Albania ranges from 4 to 24 hours/day with the average being at 10.72 hours in 2012, down from 11.4 hours/day in 2011.
“Failure to provide uninterrupted supply of running water is a result of cuts for technical reasons and as a result of the dilapidation of the distribution grid which also affects the quality of water for public consumption. The high level of water losses remains the key concern, causing scheduled water supply and a poor financial situation of operators. Even for 2012, the level of water losses continued remaining high at 62 percent down from 63 percent in 2011,” says the Water Regulator.
Meanwhile, the bill collection in 2012 rose to 88 percent, up 8 percent compared to the previous year. Only 55 percent consumers have water meters while the remaining part pays fixed rate. Data show only 13 out of 57 water supply and sewerage operators cover their operating and maintenance costs.
With operating revenues covering only 68 percent of costs, water supply and sewerage companies definitely need to raise their drinking water prices to improve their efficiency. The recommendation is made in a World Bank report called “Decentralization and Service Delivery in Albania: Governance in the Water Sector.” The bill collection rate, remains low at 78.3 percent but there are also exceptions such as the southeastern city of Korca where the rate is at 97 percent. Overstaff in water supply and sewerage companies is another issue with 13.6 people per 1,000 connections compared to 4 employees per 1,000 connections under the EU standard. Political patronage and the complexity of water supply systems are the main explanations to the situation. The report notes that the companies’ performance remains unsatisfactory, partly because of the complex drafting and implementation of the institutional framework managing the sector. Water companies fail to provide access to 10 percent of consumers in urban areas and 42 percent of consumers in rural areas with the average water access being 11 hours a day.
Widespread illegal connections to the water supply grid and lack of water meters for 50 percent of the population also contribute to the low collection rate. The report also notes that the subsidy system needs to be reformed supporting consumers with low revenues and not serving as a stimulus for negative performance covering the company’s operating costs. According to the World Bank, Albania is better off in water resources than many developing countries, but not for all yet. Data show Albania is endowed with an estimated 8,600 m3 per capita per year in water resources – an enviable position from the vantage point of many countries. Current utilization rate is estimated at only 6 percent annually. The country has relatively high access to water in urban municipalities at 90 percent, but much lower access to piped water connections in rural municipalities at 58 percent. Water prices for household consumers in Tirana are currently at 45 lek/m3. State institutions will pay 120 lek/m3, while private companies 135 lek/m3. Special customers, which include companies producing alcoholic beverages and refreshment and swimming pool owners will pay 170 lek/m3. Water prices for bakeries have remained unchanged at 95 lek/m3.
