FAS MODERNIZES THE RULES FOR TECHNOLOGICAL CONNECTION TO WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

The Heat-and-Water Supply Working Group of FAS Expert Council on the Housing-and-Utility Complex discussed specifics of technological connection to district systems of cold water supply and drainage, implementation of the National Competition Development Plan and Road Map to support it, as well as law enforcement practice.

“Water is an important resource for consumers and access to it must be simplified. To this purpose, the existing rules on technological connection must be reviewed since their enforcement is complicated”, emphasized Alexei Matyukhin at the Heat-and-Water Supply Working Group of FAS Expert Council on the Housing-and-Utility Complex.

In his opinion, it is necessary to create economic incentives for reducing connection costs, eliminate excessive barriers and attract new subscribers.

Elena Tsyshevskaya, Deputy Head of FAS Department for Regulating the Housing-and Utility Complex, added that the current gaps must be eliminated, especially regarding the procedure for identifying technical possibility for connection to water supply. There are also cases when consumers can independently lay networks at lower costs in comparison with services offered by resource suppliers.  According to Deputy Head of FAS Department for Regulating the Housing-and Utility Complex, improving the regulatory framework will facilitate resolving the issue.

She also focused on implementing the National Competition Development Plan and Road Map to support it in various sectors of the economy. For instance, the Road Map, introduces a concept of “tariff discrimination” in the law. As Elena Tsyshevskaya reported, the document is at the active stage of drafting.

Finally, Elena Tsyshevskaya reminded that representatives of the Working Group can forward their comments and proposals to the e-mail of the Council on the Housing-and-Utility Complex. The antimonopoly body is ready to consider them and made a balanced solution on them.