Interactive tool · fair distribution pillar
Under international human-rights guidance, water must be affordable. UN bodies and the UNDP often use 3% of household income as a reference point for water costs. Enter a typical or vulnerable household to see where its bill lands, then test a tariff increase, a lower fixed charge or a lifeline block before the board decides.
Why it matters
UN General Assembly resolution 64/292 (2010) recognised safe drinking water and sanitation as a human right. UN General Comment No. 15 (2002) requires water to be physically accessible, safe and economically accessible.
So what: boards need to know who can't pay, not only the average bill.
WHO and UN guidance put the amount needed for basic needs at around 50–100 litres per person per day. The calculator shows the bill at 50 l/person/day as a floor.
So what: a lifeline block priced near cost recovery for the first few m³ protects basic use.
A high standing charge is the same for a single pensioner and a large family. As a share of a low bill it can dominate, and it weakens the incentive to save water.
So what: check the fixed share of the bill for one- and two-person households.
The recast EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184, Art. 16) requires Member States to improve or maintain access to water for all, especially vulnerable and marginalised groups.
So what: ask your utility which groups are identified as lacking access and what was done.