The total debt owed by consumers to the Regional Water Company KRU “Prishtina” has surpassed €45 million, covering both households and small and large businesses across eight municipalities where the company manages water supply services.
This was confirmed by Arjeta Mjeku, spokesperson for KRU “Prishtina,” in a statement to Ekonomia Online. She warned that consumers who fail to settle their outstanding bills within the next 16 days may face service disconnections or enforcement proceedings.
According to Mjeku, approximately €40 million of the debt comes from the household sector, while more than €5 million is owed by small and large businesses.
“The total debt of consumers—both households and businesses—to water supply services exceeds €45 million. Of this amount, €40 million belongs to the household sector, while over €5 million is owed by small and large businesses,” she said.
High Costs of Water Treatment
Mjeku emphasized that the water supplied to consumers involves significant operational and treatment costs, countering the perception that it is simply natural water.
“This is not natural water that flows directly from Batllava. The water is collected, transferred to treatment plants, processed through all technological purification stages, and only then delivered to consumers. This entire process represents a very high cost for the company,” she explained.
Warnings, Disconnections, and Enforcement
The spokesperson stressed that punitive measures will be taken if debts remain unpaid. Disconnection from the water supply may occur if a consumer has two or more unpaid bills, following the issuance of three to five prior warnings.
In addition to service disconnections, cases may be referred to private enforcement officers for debt collection.
“From today, consumers have a 16-day deadline to settle their debts,” Mjeku said, adding that the company understands the challenging economic conditions faced by many citizens.
Payment Relief Options Available
KRU “Prishtina” has also introduced payment facilitation measures for consumers with financial difficulties. These include:
- Paying 10% of the total debt upfront
- Rescheduling the remaining amount over a period of 12 to 36 months
- No additional interest applied
Despite these options, Mjeku reiterated that failure to comply will result in disconnection from the water network and possible legal enforcement.
