The Social Water Bonus is a benefit granted to citizens/households in a situation of economic hardship, that is, when the following criteria are met:

The household has an ISEE indicator not exceeding:

  • 9,530 euros 

    or

  • the household consists of at least 4 dependent children (large family) with ISEE indicator not exceeding 20,000 euros.

 

As of January 1, 2021, all citizens/family units who annually submit a Dichiarazione Sostitutiva Unica (DSU) for a subsidized social benefit (e.g.: maternity allowance, school canteen, baby bonus, etc.) and who are found to be in a condition of economic hardship, are automatically eligible for the procedure for the recognition of the Social Water Bonus.

 

How is the social water bonus disbursed?

For direct users, holders of a supply for resident domestic use active or suspended for delinquency, the disbursement is made in the bill. The amount disbursed corresponds to a fee calculated based on the number of days and referring to the variable part of the tariff for waterworks, sewerage and purification services.
For indirect users, fed by an active condominium utility, a one-time contribution is disbursed by a non-transferable postal check mailed to the residential address declared in the DSU.
The social water bonus guarantees free supply of 18.25 cubic meters of water per year (equal to 50 liters/inhabitant/day) for each member of your registered family. For a family of 4 people, for example, the bonus will guarantee not to pay 73 cubic meters of water per year, according to the rates applied to the utility.

For more information see the appropriate section of the ARERA portal.
 

Regulatory updates

Following ARERA Resolution No. 7/2024 - DICU of June 6, 2024, the Authority has introduced new provisions regarding the management of cases of non-recognition of the Social Water Bonus.

For direct users, in the event of a negative outcome of the investigation, the Integrated Information System (SII) will, starting in July 2025, send a specific communication to users regarding the DSU sent by INPS starting February 1, 2025, once the necessary information has been received from the Operators, in accordance with Resolution 63/2021/R/com.

The above notifications will state the specific reasons for inadmissibility, in order to allow users—through the Water Service Operator—to update the conditions that led to the rejection, if INPS has nevertheless certified the condition of economic hardship.

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