Prague Water Bills to Increase: See the New Rates for 2025

Prague residents can expect higher water and sewage bills in 2025.

The city council approved a price hike during its final meeting of the year, citing inflation and infrastructure investments as key reasons for the increase.

Starting in January, the price of water per cubic meter, including VAT, will rise by 4.4%, from 144.88 CZK to 151.27 CZK. This translates to an increase of 6.39 CZK per cubic meter.

“Based on average water consumption, the rise should cost about 20 CZK more per person each month, or 240 CZK annually,” said Infrastructure Councilor Michal Hroza (TOP 09). He added that despite the adjustment, Prague’s water and sewage prices remain well below the socially acceptable limit defined by the OECD.

The OECD sets this threshold at 2% of a household’s annual net income. For Prague, this benchmark corresponds to a water price of 243.83 CZK per cubic meter.

A Gradual Price Strategy Through 2035

The price increase aligns with a city strategy approved through 2035, designed to secure funds for the development and modernization of infrastructure. This plan allows for annual price adjustments by the average inflation rate plus 2% until 2028. After that, increases will align only with inflation.

While the rise in 2025 is modest compared to this year, the economic backdrop played a significant role in mitigating further increases.

A Contrast to 2024’s Sudden Hike

This year’s price hike, effective from January 2024, was sharper, with water costs rising by 17 CZK per cubic meter. This amounted to 671 CZK more annually per person, significantly affecting household budgets.

Inflation at the time was 11%, leading the city to forgo adding an extra 2% to the increase. However, the national government raised the VAT on drinking water from 10% to 12% under its fiscal consolidation package, further straining residents.

Declining Water Consumption Trends

The high costs have contributed to a historic decline in average water consumption, which fell to 103 liters per person per day last year—the lowest in Prague’s history.

Since the Velvet Revolution, water consumption in Prague has been decreasing. In 1990, the average consumption per person was 209 liters per day, but prices were drastically lower. A cubic meter cost just 80 heller, rising to 3 CZK by 1991.

The trend shifted in the following years as prices soared, and residents began conserving water. By the turn of the millennium, daily consumption dropped to 143 liters, and prices climbed to 33 CZK per cubic meter.

Technological advancements, including water-efficient appliances and energy-saving measures, have also driven reductions in consumption. Greywater recycling systems have become more common in recent years, further contributing to lower usage.

Over the past 15 years, water consumption has stabilized at under 120 liters per day. The 2023 figure of 103 liters is even lower than the previous record set in 2010.

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