Romanians pay very different prices for water, depending on the county. Where is the most expensive water in the country
Tariffs for water supply and sewerage continue to differ considerably from one county to another, according to the latest data from the National Regulatory Authority for Community Public Utilities Services (ANRSC), valid as of May 1, 2026.
Water tariffs differ from one locality to another. PHOTO by Pixabay
The analysis of the list of regional operators highlights discrepancies of over 100% between the most expensive and the cheapest areas, according to News.ro.
Counties with the highest rates
The highest cumulative costs for drinking water and sewage treatment (without VAT) are recorded in:
Vaslui – 21.49 lei/m2 (12.32 lei/m2 water + 9.17 lei/m2 sewage)
Iasi – 21.17 lei/m2
Neamt – 20.72 lei/m2
Mediaș – 20.31 lei/m2
Târgoviste – 20.24 lei/m2
Turda – 20.03 lei/m2
Operators from these counties justify the level of tariffs through high capture, treatment and transport costs, but also through extensive investments in infrastructure.
Where the lowest rates are recorded
At the opposite pole are:
Prahova – 10.02 lei/m2
Bucharest – 10.43 lei/m2
Ilfov – 10.48 lei/m2
Timiș – 11.36 lei/m2
Miercurea Ciuc – 11.43 lei/m2
Sibiu – 12.10 lei/m2
Bihor – 12.21 lei/m2
Why do the rates differ so much?
ANRSC and regional operators indicate several factors that influence tariffs: capture and treatment costs, infrastructure investments, the length and condition of networks, the energy consumption of pumps and treatment plants and the degree of access to European funds
In some counties, tariff adjustments in the last year exceeded 15%, against the background of the increase in operational costs and modernization projects.
