ABSTRACT
The water tariff in a water undertaking influences the available economic resources, and is the most influential factor in its technical management in the medium-long term. The European Framework Directive acknowledges this fact (UE, 2000) and consequently specifies the principle of full cost recovery that should be taken into account no later than 2010. This will probably lead to a water policy change in many countries, especially in those that have been subsidising this natural resource (such as the Mediterranean countries).
