Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) – The cost of fresh water from the tap has increased only slightly in North Rhine-Westphalia over the past ten years. However, there are large price differences from community to community, said the State Statistical Office on Wednesday. On average, a cubic meter (1000 liters) of drinking water cost 1.66 euros at the beginning of 2022, 2.5 percent more than ten years ago. During this period, the wastewater fee rose by 8.2 percent to EUR 2.77.
But the differences are big: While the residents of Cologne got away with 2.54 euros for water and sewage fees, the citizens in Blomberg in the district of Lippe had to pay 7.85 euros – more than three times as much. The price development also differs widely. While drinking water in Höxter cost 156 percent more than in 2012, the price in Legden in western Münsterland fell by 59 percent.
The municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia are not allowed to make a profit with the water and sewage charges, they are only allowed to cover their costs. The costs for the water supply are very different in the regions – depending on whether many or few people live there or what the topographical conditions are, said the State Statistical Office.
