Consell is set to approve a decree this Friday that will evenly spread over the next 36 months the deferred water sanitation fee. The payment had been postponed for a year by the previous Botànic government and is now beginning to show up in water revenues. As explained by Salome Pradas, the Minister of Environment, Water and Land, the upcoming plenary session of the Regional Government will authorize this decree. It not only doubles the proportion of the payment compared to prior plans but also forgives 30 percent of the outstanding debt for vulnerable households, with an additional 50 percent waiver for those facing serious vulnerability and a 5 percent reduction of deferred amounts for the seriously vulnerable.
Now it is time to fix this, Pradas stated when announcing the decree in the Cortes. The arrangement will extend the repayment window for last year’s deferred sums to 36 months, smoothing the burden across invoices. This effectively doubles the period previously in play. In addition, 30 percent of the outstanding balances for vulnerable individuals will be canceled, and half of the debt for those most at risk will be forgiven.
Socialist sources described the move as a stopgap that does not address the core issue, labeling it a less ambitious copy of a bill the group had recorded in the Cortes the week before. In that critique, the deputy ombudsman Arcadi Spain proposed extending the payment suspension until 31 December, much like the 10 percent price discount and free transport extended earlier. Under his plan, the entire amount would be forgiven for people earning under 30,000 euros, with the remainder eligible for a 60-month repayment period, nearly double the horizon anticipated in Consell’s decree.
Apart from the debate itself, Pradas presented this decree as the clearest signal of his administration’s plan during a recent appearance in the regional parliament. He outlined a four-year action program for his department and signaled a shift away from what he called an environmentalism of prohibition toward an environmentalism grounded in practicality. The plan envisions the Albufera Use and Management Plan, enhancements to Metrovalencia networks, and investments in Alicante and Castelló trams. It also emphasizes ensuring water supply to prevent unjustified interruptions.
We are entering a new era, Pradas asserted, with policies that stand in opposition to the left and will bring noticeable changes to the Valencian Community. To support this, he pushed for changes to investment rules and argued that environmental protection and economic growth can go hand in hand. He asserted that a more pragmatic approach should replace what he described as armchair environmentalism in the name of reasoned environmental policy.
Law changes
The decree touches on several legal areas that require adjustment to enable the envisioned compatibility with attractive investment conditions. The Climate Change law, the forest use law, Turia PORN, Lotup, and a prospective Natural Parks law are seen as candidates for revision to support a more investment-friendly environment. Pradas also mentioned the preparation of a future Coastal Law designed to maximize the use of regional powers, harmonize uses, and protect traditional coastal towns. This reform would entail a redefinition of Pativel. He emphasized a thoughtful review of Animal Welfare legislation as part of this broader reform.
Even with these ambitions, one clear priority for the councilman was cutting bureaucratic barriers that hinder opportunity. He highlighted pending projects for renewable energy installations as a focal point, noting that a single general direction was established to unify criteria and reduce conflicting interpretations in environmental and landscape impact statements. In his view, the shift from Go Home to Welcome to the Valencian Community symbolized a practical turn in local governance.