Water supply across Albania ranges from 4 to 24 hours/day with the average being at 11.5 hours in 2013, up from 10.8 hours/day in 2012 and 10.9 in 2011
TIRANA, March 20 – Water supply bill collection registered a sharp drop in the 2013 electoral year but total operating cost coverage slightly approved only thanks to higher tariffs, says the Water Regulatory Entity in its 2013 report.
Data shows the water bill collection rate dropped to 75 percent in 2013, down from 91 percent in 2012 and 80 percent in 2011. Meanwhile, operating cost coverage slightly rose to 84 percent, up from 82.7 percent in 2012 and 79.4 percent in 2011.
Average water supply tariffs during the past three years have increased by 14 percent for household consumers.
The water supply situation in Albania continues remaining critical. Data show water supply across Albania ranges from 4 to 24 hours/day with the average being at 11.5 hours in 2013, up from 10.8 hours/day in 2012 and 10.9 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,” says the Water Regulator.
Only 58 percent consumers have water meters while the remaining part pays fixed rate.
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.” Overstaff in water supply and sewerage companies is another issue with 9.5 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. 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 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.
