Villalba de Losa approves the water tax with rates and penalties

The City Council of Junta de Villalba de Losa has initially approved the fiscal ordinance regulating the fee for domestic water supply, a text that establishes the bill rates, the conditions for water meters, and a sanctioning regime with fines of up to 3,000 euros. The regulation was approved by the Plenary in the session of September 21, 2026, and is published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Burgos no. 188, of October 2, 2026, section III. Local Administration (official reference BOPBUR-2026-04073). The document is now subject to public information and hearing for a minimum period of thirty days for the submission of claims and suggestions.

Legal Basis and Scope of the Regulation

The ordinance is issued in exercise of the regulatory and tax powers recognized by articles 133.2 and 142 of the Constitution, article 106 of Law 7/1985, of April 2, regulating the Bases of the Local Regime, and articles 15 to 19 and 20 to 27 of the consolidated text of the Law regulating Local Treasuries, approved by Royal Legislative Decree 2/2004, of March 5.

The text regulates access to the service, the obligations of the holders and users, the installation and maintenance of meters, the applicable rates, the inspection regime, and the regime of infractions and sanctions. Its scope covers all properties, homes, premises, establishments, livestock farms, and facilities connected or that must be connected to the municipal network, and the provision is conditioned upon technical availability, network capacity, and sufficient water quality.

The ordinance was initially approved by the Plenary on September 21, 2026, and signed by the mayor-president, José Losa Orive. Once claims are resolved and it is definitively approved, it will be published in full in the provincial gazette and will enter into force under the legally provided terms.

Bill Rates and Connection Fees

The tax quota is determined according to the type of use, the maintenance minimum, and the volume consumed. The planned amounts are:

• Minimum for maintenance of networks and installations: 35.00 euros.
• Consumption of the first 200 m³ per year: 0.40 euros per cubic meter.
• Consumption from 201 m³ onwards: 0.95 euros per cubic meter.
• Network connection fees, one-time for new connections, activations, and reopenings: 1,800.00 euros.
• Provisional connection for works: 250.00 euros, valid for one year from its granting.
• Extensions of the works connection until completion: 100.00 euros per year, via a single payment upon expiration of the previous permit.

These amounts are required without prejudice to the corresponding water consumption rate. The regulation does not recognize exemptions except those provided for in regulations with the rank of law, nor bonuses other than those established by modification of the ordinance itself.

Meters: one per cadastral reference

As a general rule, only one water meter will be authorized for each property identified with an independent cadastral reference, and the application for activation must indicate the complete cadastral reference. Exceptionally, several meters may be authorized when there is accredited physical or functional division, each can be associated with a dwelling, premises, or specific use, the installation is technically viable, and the conditions of the municipal services are met.

The first meter of each supply will be provided by the City Council of Junta de Villalba de Losa, although the costs of installation and commissioning will be borne by the interested party, an action which is exempt from the ICIO tax. Replacement due to a breakdown attributable to the holder or user shall be at their expense; if it derives from ordinary wear and tear or a manufacturing defect, the city council will assume it. The manipulation of the meter and its seals, as well as the use and connection of pressure pumps to the main network, is prohibited.

Inspection, infractions, and sanctions

The city council may inspect supplies, connections, meters, and installations, with minutes or reports recording the location, date, readings, and seals. The sanctioning regime distinguishes three levels:

• Minor infractions, such as failing to communicate changes in ownership or hindering the reading of the meter: fine of up to 300.00 euros.
• Serious infractions, such as manipulating or bypassing the meter, making connections without authorization, or providing water to third parties: fine of up to 1,500.00 euros.
• Very serious infractions, such as manipulating with fraudulent intent or making clandestine connections that compromise the network: fine of up to 3,000.00 euros.

The procedure is always initiated ex officio and grants ten days to submit allegations and propose evidence, unless the applicable regulations set another period. The Mayor’s Office is competent to initiate and resolve, and the fine does not exclude the settlement of unrecorded consumption nor the cost of repair or replacement of the meter.

Adaptation of existing supplies

The transitional provision obliges existing supplies to adapt to the ordinance, especially regarding meters, accessibility, ownership, and authorization, within a period of six months from its entry into force, unless the city council sets another period for technical or economic reasons. The ordinance repeals all municipal provisions of equal or lower rank that oppose it.

The impact on residents is direct: the regulation determines the amount of the bill, the conditions for activating or maintaining the supply, and the economic consequences of irregularities. Until the public information process and final approval are concluded, interested parties may submit claims and suggestions regarding the published text.

Source: Official Gazette of the Province of Burgos, no. 188, of October 2, 2026, section III. Local Administration, pp. 50-58 (official reference: BOPBUR-2026-04073).