Higher bills in 2010 and 2011.

Monaco's water utility, the Societe Monegasque des Eaux (SME), added 5 euro-centimes to the price of a cubic metre of water in January this year. Water is so often taken for granted, and perhaps having to pay a little extra for it will make it seem more valuable.

Higher water bills in Monaco lead to a cleaner Mediterranean Sea

Although prices in Monaco are less expensive than in the neighbouring towns, that's not the reason for the increase. In fact, the price rise is to help pay for work that was carried out last year to modernize Monaco's water treatment plant, the usine de traitement des eaux residuaires (UTER). Based in Fontvieille, the factory treats not only waste water from Monaco, but also from Beausoleil, Cap d'Ail and La Turbie.

UTER has been completely revamped to increase efficiency, and now the treated water is more than 90% pure. Prince Albert II visited the plant in January to inspect improvements and see how they will help safeguard the marine environment. Once waste water has been treated, it's ejected into the sea 100 metres below the surface and 800 metres beyond the Fontvieille jetty.

The work was carried out in 3 stages last year for 8 million euros. Public, business and private customers are sharing the bill, estimated to have increased the total cost of water by 16 euro-centimes per cubic metre, which means there'll be a further price increase of 5 euro-centimes on 1st January 2011. In reality, the extra will hardly be noticed. For a family of 4 with average consumption, it equates to just 2.5 euros per 6 months, which isn't so much when you consider the benefits for the health of local sea life.

Monaco's water in figures

Annual consumption

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