Over 8,000 Families in Elche Benefit from Water Bill Assistance in 2024

On Monday, March 17, the application period begins for water and sewage bill assistance, initiated annually by the Elche City Council through the Aigües d'Elx Social Water Fund, running until May 30. This was announced by the area councillor, Juan de Dios Navarro, following the Local Government Board's approval of the criteria for these aids aimed at individuals or families with limited economic resources, benefiting a total of 8,000 families in 2024 alone.

This year, the municipal government has allocated 450,000 euros to subsidise part of the water and sewage bills, specifically 350,000 euros for water and 100,000 euros for sewage.

Navarro explained that the granted aid is determined by the number of members in the family or household, with the average aid amounting to 55.5 euros in 2024. A total of 5,392 aids of 60 euros were awarded, mostly to single-person households; 2,382 aids ranging from 61 to 100 euros; 316 aids between 101 and 180 euros; and 16 aids exceeding 180 euros to large families with five to nine members.

Receiving these aids is compatible with benefiting from any of the social tariffs available in Elche's municipal water and sewage service. Available tariffs include discounts for large families, pensioners due to retirement or disability, victims of gender violence, and a special tariff for social housing intended for shelter. Currently, approximately 5% of Aigües d'Elx customers benefit from these tariffs that reduce their bills.

Additionally, as a novelty in this call, Juan de Dios Navarro announced changes in the aid granting period of the Social Fund, "now applying the aid for three years for beneficiaries who maintain the circumstances that led to its approval in 2025." The aim of this modification is to relieve recurring beneficiaries, such as pensioners due to retirement or disability and large families with unfavourable economic situations, from having to apply annually.

The Social Water Fund aids can be requested through the Elche City Council's Electronic Headquarters or in person at any OMAC office. Furthermore, Navarro indicated that Aigües d'Elx offers a special tariff for high consumption cases that are unintentional and caused by an internal installation leak.

In 2024, Aigües d'Elx provided interest-free financial assistance worth over 1,189,670.54 euros to 3,850 customers. This aid was granted to those needing to defer bill payments due to economic difficulties, facilitated through interest-free bill financing.

Additionally, the joint venture offers its customers a flat rate, called 12 Gotas, for water supply, allowing customers to pay the same monthly fee, with an annual adjustment based on their billing history. This option is free, regardless of the customer's tariff, and does not alter contract conditions. Customers continue to receive bills with actual consumption and expenditure information and can revert to their previous payment method at any time.