Connection to Potable Water Supply
The Regulator for Energy and Water Services regulates the Water Services Corporation (WSC) as the sole entity in Malta licensed to supply water through the public water distribution network and to provide sewerage services using the public sewage collection system. The licence is issued under the Water Supply and Sewerage Services Regulations.
A Customer Contract issued by the Water Services Corporation under the terms of the licence and which has been approved by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services, establishes the rights and obligations of the Water Services Corporation and its customers.
Any person who wishes his property to be connected to the potable water distribution network and supplied with potable water is required to submit an application in writing to ARMS Ltd., a subsidiary company of the Water Services Corporation (WSC) and Enemalta plc and established to manage and operate the water and electricity billing systems, customer care and front office functions.
Further details may be obtained from Further details may be obtained from the WSC Customer Contract and ARMS Ltd website: www.arms.com.mt
The fees for the provision and installation of a water service connection are regulated by the Water Supply Regulations as follows:
- €345 (three hundred and forty-five euro) for one service connection installed for a residential supply;
- €760(seven hundred and sixty euro) for any other supply.
In addition, where:
- the service is longer than 7 metres, an additional fee of €23.29/m length or part thereof, by which the service is longer than 7 metres is also levied. For the purpose of measurement, where the main pipe lies in the road in front of the tenement, it shall be deemed to lie in the middle of the road.
- works to be carried out by the Corporation, whether for the installation of a water service connection, or whether so requested by any person, necessitates the deviation of the main pipe, the person requesting such works is required to bear all the costs in relation to such works.
Houses, apartments, flats, factories, hotels, commercial outlets, offices, and any other buildings which are physically internally interconnected are provided with only one water service connection unless otherwise authorised by the Water Services Corporation.
Further details may be obtained from ARMS Ltd website: www.arms.com.mt
In the case where:
- a person takes over the occupation of a residence which is already served with a water service connection to the public water supply, an application is required to be submitted to the Water Services Corporation though ARMS Ltd for registration of change in consumer;
- a tenement is leased to any other person not permanently resident in Malta for longer than one quarter, the person who owns or administers or who has control of such tenement is required to notify the WSC as established in Regulation 10 of the Water Supply Regulations;
- a tenement is leased to any person, either expressly or tacitly, by the week, by the month or for not more than one quarter, or when the tenement, being let for more than one quarter, is in fact occupied by the tenant for less than one quarter, the person who owns or administers or has under his control such tenement is liable jointly and severally with the lessee for any debt incurred by the latter on account of meter rent and of water supply to that tenement.
Further details may be obtained from ARMS Ltd: www.arms.com.mt
In the case of a new connection, fees for a new service shall apply as provided by the Water Supply Regulations.
In addition, the WSC and ARMS Ltd require additional documentation to be submitted together with an application for a new service
Further details may be obtained from ARMS Ltd: www.arms.com.mt
In Malta the sole water supplier regulated by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services licensed to supply potable water through a distribution network is the Water Services Corporation.
Any person who wishes to apply for:
- the removal of a water service connection;
- the reconnection of a service;
- a registration of a change in consumer;
- a temporary recognition of a tenant in rented premises;
- a temporary supply of water;
- a test / change of a water meter;
- a change in the billing tariff;
is required to submit such an application in writing to ARMS Ltd.
Further details may be obtained from ARMS Ltd: www.arms.com.mt
The WSC Customer Contract establishes provisions for receipt of customer complaints.
Complaints should be submitted to WSC / ARMS Ltd.:
- either through their websites – www.wsc.com.mt and www.arms.com.mt
- or by phoning Customer Contract Centre on freephone 80072222;
- or by visiting ARMS Ltd. Customer Care Offices at: Gattard House, Triq Nazzjonali, Blata l-Bajda, or WSC Office in Triq ta’ Wara s-Sur, Victoria, Gozo.
Any person who wishes to apply for claim for damages is required to submit an application in writing to ARMS Ltd.
In the case where a consumer has exhausted all complaint handling process with the WSC and/or ARMS Ltd and feels aggrieved by the decision made or feels that his complaint has not been adequately addressed, he may submit a complaint regarding his dispute to REWS under the Dispute Resolution (Procedure) Regulations (S.L.545.30). Further details on how such a complaint may be submitted to REWS may be found here: (Filing a Complaint)
Any person requiring assistance to pay his bill should contact the WSC Credit Control. Further details may also be obtained from the WSC Customer Contract.
Any person with special needs requiring such assistance should contact the WSC regarding any requests for special assistance.
The Water Services Corporation is set up by the Water Services Corporation Act (Chapter 355 of the Laws of Malta).
The WSC is also regulated by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services in accordance with the Regulator for Energy and Water Services Act and the Water Supply and Sewerage Services Regulations.
The Water Supply Regulations establish provisions related to :
- applications for the supply of water;
- the applicable tariffs and connection fees,
- deposits, refunds and surety;
- metering and billing;
- prohibitions of work on a service;
- tampering with communication;
- notification to the WSC in case of lease of a tenement;
- access to premises and identification of WSC employees;
- notification of appointments to install apparatus etc.;
- complaints;
- suspension of supply.
