New Civic Thinking Resolves Water Fee Irregularities

In October 2011, the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission more than doubled water fees for the United Water Supply Com-pany’s customers in Kutaisi. Consumers only learned about the increased rate when they received their first water bill reflecting the change.
At the same time, the Kutaisi Water Distribution Company began charging citi-zens 100 lari for new water meters at a monthly rate spread over two years, which was included as part of their regular water bill. Every customer was charged for these new water meters, even though one-third of the meters had been provided free by the Millenium Challenge Corporation.
To inform citizens about the fees and address their concerns, the Kutaisi-based CSO New Civic Thinking + (NCT+) implemented a two-month advocacy pro-ject. NCT+ organized television and radio programs providing comprehensive information about the issue, published a newspaper article in the local media, established a hotline, distributed informational flyers to Kutaisi residents, and held individual consultations with consumers.

2012 წლის აპრილში „ახალი სამოქალაქო აზროვნება +“ წყალმომარაგების და გადასახადების პრობლემებთან დაკავშირებული კვლევის შედეგებს ქუთაისში ადგილობრივი მთავრობის წარმომადგენლებს და საზოგადოებას აცნობს/ASA+ presents its findings about water supply and billing problems in Kutaisi to local officials and the public in April 2012.

“The key to success for this project was the television programs,” said Lasha Tchelize, the Project Manager. NCT+’s media campaign raised awareness about the organization’s activities, which enabled it to conduct individual consultations and public meetings about the issue.
In the process, NCT+ uncovered a number of problems related to the poor quality of drinking water, dysfunctional water meters, limited water supply, non-standardized water fee payment receipts, and cases of duplicate water billing. NCT+ conducted a meeting in April 2012 to present its findings to the popula-tion, local authorities, and the Georgian National Water and Energy Regulatory Commission, which is responsible for the matter.
As a result, the Kutaisi Water Distribution Company removed the additional meter fees from the water bill. NCT+ continues to work to resolve billing discrepancies and provide consultations to the people affected by the new fees through its hotline.