Why do the prices of water services increase?
The municipal federation’s Board of Directors decides the rates of HSY usually in October, in connection to the budget negotiations. The change of water rates is based on the Section 23 of the Act on Water Services and the section 4.2. of HSY’s general supply terms of water services.
In accordance with the law and the supply terms, the water services have the right to change the fees and the structures of the price rate when, for example, an essential change in the conditions occurs. Such a change occurred when the water services of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa merged into HSY Water Services in 2010. When the water services merged, their rates differed very much from each other, which is why HSY’s Board of Directors decided to unify the rates.
The supply terms allow us to raise the water fees also when a significant change takes place in investing costs. The increase in water fees, therefore, also covers the new, necessary plan and network investments. They also pay for the notable redevelopments that secure the operational stability of water services.
Where can I found out more about water fees?
The current
water fees are available. The page has separate calculators for water rate and the connection cost. In addition to this, the phone number of our customer service is included in all the water bills sent to our customers. By calling the number, you can find out more and order a written brochure of the water rates.
How is the basic water rate calculated?
The amount of basic rate (B) (€/month) is calculated as follows:
B = s * p * BAJ
p = property factor (0,5-3)
BAJ = fixed basic rate (€/month) within floor area classes (from A to J)
s = service factor
All factors of the formula are available in the publication
HSY rates 2016.
The fixed basic rate (€/month) within the floor area classes (from A to J) is determined on the middle of each class by multiplying the floor area with the unit price of the basic rate € /m2/month, i.e. euros per floor area metre in a month, and the property type-specific factor (0,5-3).
Since 1 January 2016, the unit price of the basic rate is €0.0156/floor area metre / month.
Water, wastewater and rainwater combined |
s = 1.0 |
Just water |
s = 0.4 |
Just wastewater |
s = 0.4 |
Just rainwater |
s = 0.2 |
Detached or semi-detached house |
3.0 |
Terraced or linked house |
2.7 |
Block of flats |
2.5 |
Industrial building |
2.2 |
Commercial building |
2.0 |
Office building |
1.8 |
Public building (primary use: other than as an office) |
1.6 |
Sports and exercise halls |
1.3 |
Warehouses, industrial warehouses and car parks |
1.0 |
Special cases (parks, fields, tunnels, fountains, etc.) |
0.5 |
0–100 |
A |
100 |
101–250 |
B |
175 |
251–350 |
C |
300 |
351–500 |
D |
425 |
501–1000 |
E |
750 |
1001–2000 |
F |
1500 |
2001–4000 |
G |
3000 |
4001–7000 |
H |
5500 |
7001–10 000 |
I |
8500 |
>10 000 |
J |
15 000 |
For example, payment class C: BAJ = 300 p-m2 * €0.0156 /p-m2/month = €4.68 /month (without VAT)
Nevertheless, the basic rate of a water consumption location is, regardless of the floor area, at least as much as in the lowest payment class (A), calculated on the basis of a floor area of 100 m2. The maximum basic rate can be as much as the highest payment class (J), calculated on the basis of a floor area of 15.000 m2.
If the property is later extended so that its floor area increases and puts it into a new payment class, the basic rate is determined based on the new payment class.
VAT will be included in the prices in accordance with the current value added tax percentage.
Example: Single-family house, floor area of 200 m2. The property receives water, wastewater and storm water services from HSY.
p = 3 (determined based on the property type) BAJ = €2.73 /month (payment class B, 101-250 p-m2, VAT 0%) s = 1 (water, wastewater, storm water)
Without value added tax: B = 3 * €2.73 /month * 1 = €8.19 /month
With value added tax (24%, starting from 1 January 2013): B = 3 * €3.39 /month * 1 = €10.17 /month
The sum for the whole year’s basic rate can be determined by multiplying the monthly sum without VAT by 12 and the amount of value added tax: B = €8.19 /month * 12 months * 1.24 = €121.87
The final sums may differ somewhat due to rounding of the numbers.
How much tax money goes towards the HSY Water Services?
None. Our water services are covered by water rates. It includes the basic rate, charges for used water and the connection fee intended for new customers.
The basic rate covers the maintenance of the pipe network as well as the water treatment and wastewater treatment plants. The charges for used water cover the costs incurred due to water and wastewater treatment. The connection fee helps to cover the implementation costs of water services, i.e. the construction of new network.