Kim Kataguiri: It is important to recognize, however, that sanitation services have relevant fixed costs, such as the maintenance of networks and treatment plants and the permanent availability of infrastructure, which need to be financed in a stable manner.
Kim Kataguiri: The simple prohibition of charging for minimum consumption, without a tariff restructuring, could create regulatory uncertainty and compromise the economic-financial balance of existing concession contracts, transferring costs in a disorderly manner.
Furthermore, a specific ban on charging a minimum tariff only with respect to condominiums with multiple real estate units and a single meter could create serious distortions in relation to other users of the same service, which would compromise the principle of equality, essential for the provision of an adequate service.
Kim Kataguiri: In light of this scenario and corroborating the understanding of the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA), expressed through Reference Standard No. 13/2025, we understand that the tariff structure should be composed of a fixed portion, corresponding to the basic tariff, and a variable portion, corresponding to actual consumption.
Kim Kataguiri: The basic tariff is intended to remunerate the availability of infrastructure and fixed costs, while the variable portion ensures that the user pays strictly for what they consumed.