The efficiency (tariffs) and the equity (subsidies) in the provision of the public service domiciliary of potable water in the city of Bucaramanga, (2004-2018)

The tariff system of the Colombia aqueduct service is constituted by the fixed charge (fixed fee CMA / subscribers) and the consumption charge (CMLP), in turn referring to determine the rates of stratum 4, and to establish subsidies (strata 1, 2 and 3) and those on prices or subsidies crossed to strata 5 and 6 and to the industrial and commercial sectors; the above, together with the consumption blocks, is the basis of the bill per user according to stratum and sector. In the Metropolitan Aqueduct of Bucaramanga S.A.E.S.P., AMB the value of basic consumption rates (at current prices) almost quadrupled from 2004 to 2018 for some strata and sectors; and tripled for the case of complementary consumption for that same period of time. The high value of the tariffs has conditioned users of strata 4 and 5 to restrict consumption to levels below 14m3 per month of water, going from 19.41 m3 of monthly consumption in 2015 to 14.2 in the year 2017. The total of residential subscribers increased by 90.959 between 2000 and 2017, and by 10.035 for non-residential subscribers. In 102.182 was the total increase in subscribers between 2000 and 2017, this shows the growth and expansion of the city of Bucaramanga.