Equidade: a chave para explicar os tarifários de água em Portugal?

Abstract

Given the gap in the literature regarding equity analyses in the water industry, the objective of this paper is to evaluate whether or not income-related equity considerations are embodied in water supply tariffs, in the Portuguese municipalities. Essential minimum quantities of water are determined for representative households, which are then compared with the first tariff block’s upper limit applying on their respective municipalities. Next, representative households are ranked by costs underlying minimum quantities and by income. The methodology used in this paper is also based on concentration curves and indexes. We conclude that payments of water bills are regressive, or, in other words, there is inequity favourable to the better-off representative households.