Water price: Water and sewage costs over 123 CZK/m3

There are no standard competitive relations between the water companies, as they occupy a monopoly position in the entrusted locations. Therefore, they are subject to strict state regulations, for example ministerial price assessments. Watery and sewer therefore, it does not arise on the market, but as a political compromise. Price lists are usually updated once a year, usually on January 1, and then apply to all customers in a given region.

What is water and sewage?

• Watery is payment for the supply of drinking water from the public water supply and its distribution. In the household, the obligation to pay water is created by the flow of water into the pipe connected immediately behind the water meter. The owner of the water supply has the right to water, unless the contract stipulates that the water supply operator has the right to water.
• Sewerage we pay for the removal of waste water through the public sewer system and its subsequent cleaning. The obligation to pay sewerage arises in the household at the moment of the inflow of waste water into the sewer. The owner of the sewer has the right to the sewer, unless the contract stipulates that the operator of the sewer has the right to the sewer. The price of sewage is usually less than half of the total price of water.

The average price of water is 123.06 crowns per cubic meter (m3).

Flat fee for water meter

Billing for water is according to Act No. 274/2001 Coll. (on water pipes and sewers) determined in one-component or two-component form. In most domestic regions, customers only pay for their water consumption. However, some municipalities have stipulated by binding decree that, in addition to regular water and sewerage, fixed (flat-rate) fees, depending on the size of the water meter, will also be charged.

• Single component form: The price depends only on consumption, so it is variable. We multiply the amount of water taken by the price of water, the amount of discharged waste water is multiplied by the price of sewage, and the sum of these items gives us the result.
• A two-component form: To the variable price, which depends on the amount of water taken and discharged, we must add a fixed flat-rate fee for connection to the water network. This second, fixed component of the bill is determined by the size of the water meter used. According to the Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture No. 428/2001 Coll., the fixed component of water and sewage for a normal family house may not exceed the single component price for 30 m3. For example, if you pay 1,800 CZK for the supply of 30 m3 of water, the fixed component of the water bill will not exceed 1,800 CZK.

And on top of that, we have to add value added tax (VAT), according to Act No. 235/2004 Coll.: 12%.

This year’s price of water

Until 1994, waterworks and sewage were subsidized across the board by the state. Water and sewer rates remained the same in the long term, although operating costs continued to rise. After the subsidies were abolished, the price spike followed. The water and sewage system needs continuous modernization, new chemicals require more advanced filtration, and therefore water and sewage will probably continue to grow.

The price of water represents roughly 2% of the average family budget, i.e. less than a typical electricity or heat bill. However, there are significant differences between domestic regions, depending on the state of sewers and water supply systems, on local consumption, but also on the availability of this indispensable raw material. Average the price of water currently does 123.06 CZK/m³.

Note: The prices of water and sewage are given in CZK/m3, including 12% VAT, effective from the New Year 2024. In locations marked with an asterisk, flat-rate water meter fees are also added. Source: Waterworks and Sewerage Industry Association (SOVAK ČR) and regional suppliers.