Almere’s municipal executive is examining whether an additional annual 2.5% increase in the sewer charge can be cancelled. Alderman for finance Lesley van Hilten made the commitment during a discussion of the programme budget, after DENK asked about the combined impact of the planned increases on households with low or middle incomes. The additional increase was intended to set aside funds for the future replacement of the sewer system.

The programme budget currently provides for a 6.6% increase in waste charges and a 5.9% increase in sewer charges. The municipality attributed the higher waste charge partly to rising personnel and fuel costs and higher taxes on waste disposal. The municipal executive will assess the possibility of cancelling the additional sewer charge increase in the spring memorandum, while the city council is due to discuss the programme budget in the coming weeks.