Annual water cost per individual: approximately 5 euros

Yearly water expenditure per individual: Around 5 Euros - Annual water cost per individual: approximately 5 euros

In a significant move towards water conservation and infrastructure, the coalition partners CSU and Free Voters in Bavaria have agreed upon key points for a new water tax after a long dispute in December.

The revenues from the water tax are earmarked for specific purposes such as general water and drinking water protection, projects to improve water quality, and sustainable irrigation measures. According to the Minister-President of Bavaria, Markus Söder, the expected annual revenues are around 80 million euros.

One of the contentious points in the bill is the priority given to water abstractions for public drinking water supply, which takes precedence over other uses. This is a welcome measure for ensuring a consistent water supply for the population.

However, the bill has faced criticism on several fronts. For instance, many industrial and agricultural businesses fall below the threshold, making the water tax ineffective in their case, according to the Bavarian Nature Conservation Association. Additionally, the bill has been criticised for treating businesses and private individuals unequally in free allowances, and for having a high threshold and no meter obligation.

Another point of contention is the inability to trade water abstraction rights in Bavaria, as stated by Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber. If someone has a water law permit for groundwater use and wants to transfer it, the authorities must be informed in the future.

The bill also establishes an "overriding public interest" for flood protection measures, giving them more weight in planning. This allows municipalities to implement flood protection measures at their own expense in the future, even if the state is responsible but progress is slow.

It's important to note that Munich, the capital city of Bavaria, is not explicitly mentioned in the paragraphs provided.

The bill has sparked debate among political figures and organisations, with the Bavarian Association of Towns and Municipalities criticising it for putting municipalities under pressure to act while the Free State evades its duty.

Despite these controversies, the new water tax in Bavaria marks a significant step towards sustainable water management and infrastructure development. As more details emerge, the implications and effects of this tax will become clearer.

1. The Commission, with its expertise in environmental-science, has also been consulted on the draft directive of the new water tax in Bavaria, as the proposed legislation touches upon science, finance, and politics, being a part of the general-news.
2. The water tax, although criticized by certain industrial and agricultural businesses for being ineffective due to having a high threshold, will allocate revenues towards specific purposes such as improving water quality, which is a critical concern for science, industry, and the environmental-science community.
3. In the context of the controversial new water tax bill, the inability to trade water abstraction rights in Bavaria is a point of concern for the industry and finance sector, as it could hinder the potential for economic growth and business efficiency.

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