This master's thesis discusses the financial aspect of drinkable water supply distribution. Unlike in the
case of the Črnomelj municipality, particular emphasis is placed here on the real cost by including the
amortisation of water supply infrastructure in determining the actual cost of drinkable water
distribution for households. The chosen methodology to arrive at the drinkable water distribution price
setting is based on the principle of regulating the relationship between the actual costs in the process
of drinkable water distribution (with the emphasis on the amortisation costs) and the amounts of
drinkable water sold to the inhabitants in a certain area of the municipality and in the lower spatial
units of the local communities.
The empirical part of this thesis determines the price for the drinkable water distribution in each
individual local community of the municipality; considerable differences in distribution costs are
shown and evaluated as a consequence of different lengths of water supply networks and different
consumer density in each individual local community. The fees established in this manner have also
been placed in the context of a broader time period. The calculating framework of the simulation
presents an analytical model that demonstrates the influence of changes in the infrastructure costs,
network lengths and consumer density on the modification of fees for the distribution of drinkable
water. Municipalities can evaluate the conditions in different areas for the drinkable water cost
distribution. The core thesis of this paper is based on the presupposition that the costs of real
amortisation of water supply network in the rural areas should be included in the price of the drinkable
water distribution. Inclusion of all of the costs will have a positive effect in achieving the requirements
for the operative programs for state environmental and infrastructure standards of drinkable water
supply: reduction of water loss, lowering maintenance costs, maintaining a steady water supply for
households and raising the health standards of drinkable water. An additional positive effect from
inclusion of all costs will be understanding the real costs for providing water supply infrastructure for
reconstructions and newly constructed buildings in the rural areas. A research of average consumer
household habits has been conducted on state level (currently, 2011); in addition, the established fee
structures for services in the field of drinkable water distribution have been studied in some
comparable public organisations. On the basis of quantification, comparison of statistical data and the
results from the empirical part of the thesis we have reached the conclusion that the possibility for the
rise in prices of drinkable water distribution is realistic and professionally justified in the rural areas of
Slovenian municipalities that are presently confronted with the problems of old and deteriorated water
supply infrastructure.
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