New rate hike approved by Passerini: third water price increase so far this year

The water bill will rise again in Córdoba with Passerini's approval, who insists on constantly punishing the city's users. In this context, Aguas Cordobesas will increase its rates by 8.81% after Ersep's authorization. This is the third adjustment so far this year, without the Municipality showing any intention of stopping this regressive policy.

The Grupo Roggio company justified the rate hike due to higher costs between March and June, disregarding the social impact. With this increase, the accumulated rise in 2024 reaches 45.5%, further affecting the middle and lower sectors. Passerini once again gave the green light to the increase, without assuming the political cost of impoverishing thousands of Córdoba residents.

The first adjustment was 19.1% in February, followed by another 12.3% in May, all with the municipality's complicit silence. The official discourse of social sensitivity is discredited when Passerini endorses increases that strongly hit family incomes. As the bills rise, local officials avoid giving any kind of explanation.

More increases, less income

The increase will be addressed by Ersep's board, which must first call a public hearing, although its outcome already seems decided. If 2024 costs are excluded, this year's effective increase will be 22.2%, still above provincial inflation. Meanwhile, according to the Córdoba CPI, water rose 33.7% between January and June, directly affecting basic consumption.

Aguas Cordobesas doesn't receive subsidies, but does have the political support of Passerini, which allows it to increase rates without being held accountable. Other services are contained, but water is left to a scheme that doesn't consider the population's situation. With each approved adjustment, the municipal administration moves even further away from the real needs of the residents.

"In Córdoba, salaries follow inflation and services follow bitcoin," Facundo Cortés, opposition board member at Ersep, said ironically. According to its concession contract, the company can request increases if its costs rise more than 8% or if six months pass without updates. Meanwhile, Córdoba residents continue to receive bills that are impossible to pay with incomes that do not adjust accordingly.