What is the Water Social Bonus and who can apply?

The Water Social Bonus is a benefit granted to individuals/households experiencing economic hardship, that is, when the following criteria are met:

The household has an ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) not exceeding:

  • €9,796
  • or, for households with at least 4 dependent children (large families), an ISEE not exceeding €20,000

Until 31 December 2020, the Bonus was only granted to eligible applicants who submitted a request to their municipality of residence or to authorised tax assistance centres (CAF). Since 1 January 2021, however, all individuals/households who submit a Single Substitute Declaration (DSU) each year to access a means-tested social benefit (e.g. maternity allowance, school meals, baby bonus, etc.) and who are found to be in economic hardship are automatically admitted to the procedure for granting the Water Social Bonus.

 

How is the Water Social Bonus paid?

  • For direct customers, holding an active resident domestic supply contract, or one suspended for non-payment, the bonus is credited on the bill. The amount corresponds to a share calculated on the number of days and applied to the variable part of the tariff for water supply, sewerage and wastewater treatment services.
  • For indirect customers, supplied through an active shared building (condominium) connection, a one-off contribution is paid by non-transferable postal cheque sent to the residential address stated in the DSU.

The Water Social Bonus provides 18.25 cubic metres of water free of charge per year (equal to 50 litres per person per day) for each member of your registered household. For example, a family of 4 will not pay for 73 cubic metres of water per year, based on the tariffs applied to their supply.

For more information, see the dedicated section of the ARERA website.

 

What happens if the bonus is not granted?

Following ARERA Determination No. 7/2024 - DICU of 6 June 2024, the Authority introduced new provisions on handling cases where the Water Social Bonus is not granted.

For direct customers, if the assessment is unsuccessful, starting from July 2025 the Integrated Information System (SII) will send customers a notice concerning DSUs submitted by INPS from 1 February 2025, once the necessary information has been received from the operators, as provided for by Resolution 63/2021/R/com.

These notices will state the specific reasons for ineligibility, so that customers – through their water service operator – can update the conditions that led to the rejection, where INPS has nonetheless certified their economic hardship.

For further details, see our FAQ section – WATER SOCIAL BONUS.