It was during a working group on water that Deux-Sèvres Nature Environnement (DSNE) had the idea of delving into their own water bill. And Magali Migaud, one of the association’s leaders, admits it bluntly: “We tried to understand and we understood nothing. » DSNE then asked UFC-Que Choisir and Apieee (Association for the protection, information and studies of water and its environment in Deux-Sèvres) for a helping hand. In the end, the three structures placed on the table seven water bills for 2023 from seven water unions in Deux-Sèvres (1).
“How much do I pay to clean up my water? It doesn’t appear on any invoice”
The main idea of this study was to understand the elements that make up the price of water and to analyze the share of the cost of depollution invoiced to subscribers. At first glance, we understand that no one pays the same thing. Differences vary €4.65 per m3 for the SEV (Vivier water service) for the highest rate, at €2.26 per m3 for SMAEP 4B for the lowest (2).
Map of Deux-Sèvres
© (Infographic NR)
What the three associations mainly criticize is the real cost of depolluting raw water. “How much do I pay to depollute my water, firmly questions Magali Migaud, It doesn’t appear on any invoice. ». DSNE, UFC-Que Choisir and Apieee went to the websites of the seven unions and official government sites to try to find out more. In vain. Their investigation could have been supported by other external opinions but Magali Migaud defends herself: “There is nothing scientific, it’s just an observation. This is a basic request from a water consumer. »
UFC-Que Choisir, Apieee and Deux-Sèvres Nature Environnement studied the water bills of Deux-Sèvres for the year 2023.
© (Photo NR, Bruno Delion)
This does not prevent them from criticizing ” the blur “ around water agency withdrawals: “On several invoices, the fee is called “pollution fee” or “domestic pollution”. This is problematic and leads to misunderstandings on the part of users. »
The three associations would also like to see the establishment of a social water tariff and more transparency for consumers. Hugues Minaud for UFC-Que Choisir, however, notes the example of Seco: “They created a water citizens’ circle that allows everyone to express themselves. » On this subject, Magali Migaud insists on saying that their study is not “not a criticism of water unions, just an observation”. Besides, they showed up. “Two union presidents have already contacted us. » The beginning of a clarification?
(1) The three associations did not have in hand the invoices from the SMPAEP of Saint-Maixent, nor from the water union of Lezay. On the other hand, on our infographic, we added the price of water from the Lezay water union: €1.56 per m3 excluding sanitation.
(2) For these two data, sanitation must be taken into account.
A gap of €200 for a family
Taking the example of a family of four living in Deux-Sèvres, DSNE, UFC-Que Choisir and Apieee found, based on their observations, that there was a gap of €200 from one territory to another in the department. The fault in particular is the differences in subscriptions which go “from single to double”: €44.26 for the SEV Niort to €90.20 for the SMAEP 4B in Périgné.
