The decision by the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) to keep drinking water tariffs unchanged for 2025 has implications for consumers, utility management, and public policy.
The recalculation of additional water volumes (+438,387 cubic meters) slightly reduced the overall tariff cost (by approximately 0.4 AMD per cubic meter). While this adjustment reflects some efficiency in resource management, it is unclear how sustainable this approach will be in the long term, especially considering inflationary pressures and potential operational costs.
The reduced tariff for socially vulnerable groups (180 AMD) continues to address the needs of low-income households. However, the gap between the subsidized rate and the general tariff (200.42 AMD) raises questions about the financial sustainability of this support system and its dependence on government subsidies.
The connection between retail water supply volumes and tariff reductions indicates progress in resource optimization. However, it is essential to critically evaluate whether these reductions are linked to long-term environmental strategies or short-term adjustments to meet immediate regulatory targets.
While government subsidies (covering the additional 6 AMD per cubic meter in previous years) have mitigated the burden on consumers, reliance on these measures may not be a sustainable solution. The lack of significant price increases could indicate efforts to avoid public discontent, but the long-term effects on infrastructure investments remain uncertain.