AEPSA is pleased to invite you to the conference to present the study carried out by professor Rui Cunha Marques, by FUNDEC of Instituto Superior Técnico, on subsidy policies in the national water sector. This event, which will be held on July 2nd, at the Centro Cultural de Belém at 9:30 am, will bring together a diverse group of experts to reflect and debate the challenges inherent to water services in Portugal.

In the last decade, the water sector has stagnated or retreated, with the difference between managing entities in terms of performance and quality of service becoming more pronounced. During this period, and despite more than 1.4 billion euros having been allocated to subsidies for water services, the main performance indicators in water supply and sanitation have either degraded or shown residual improvements.

As more than half of the management entities have chronic deficits, that is, their tariff income does not cover the costs of investments and even current operations, they are dependent on subsidies from Portuguese or European taxpayers. Current subsidy policies – often without objective or transparent criteria, nor commitment to results – do not promote efficiency or environmental and financial sustainability.

The study sought to analyze the subsidizing model for water and sanitation services, contribute to the resolution of identified problems, propose good practices and more appropriate public policies, to try to reverse the identified weaknesses.

In the debate, among many other subjects about subsidization, the incomprehensible criterion evident in PENSAARP 2030 will also be analyzed, regarding access to Portugal 2030 funds, which excluded around 80% of Portuguese municipalities, a situation that is expected to be revoked at for the sake of equity between municipalities and essential for the equitable and sustainable development of all management entities.

Participation is free, subject to mandatory registration here.