ERSAR – the Water and Waste Services Regulation Authority
ERSAR – The Water and Waste Services Regulation Authority http://www.ersar.pt/en Organization The organizational and functional model of ERSAR is composed by the Board of Directors, by the operational services (Waste Systems Department, Water Systems Department, Contract Management Department, Direct Management Department, Legal Department and Quality Department. The technical and administrative support services are made up of the Administrative, Financial and Human Resources Department and the Technology and Information Management Department. The organization chart is completed with the advisory board and the statutory auditor (both required by law). Historical Evolution There are four relevant periods in the regulation of the water and waste sector in Portugal: 2000 – 2003: IRAR was the regulation authority for water and waste services of a growing number of concessionaires. At the end of 2003, there were about 50 regulated operators. 2004 – 2009: Besides regulating these 50 operators, IRAR assumed the role of national authority for drinking water quality. In this respect, IRAR had more 400 operators to regulate. Since 2009: ERSAR replaced IRAR and is now the regulation authority for the entire water and waste sector, with over 500 regulated operators, keeping its mission as national authority for drinking water quality. In 2014, ERSAR became an independent body with more autonomy and strengthened sanction and regulation powers. Purpose of Regulation Regulation has as main objective the protection of users’ and consumers’ interests by promoting the quality of service provided by operators and ensuring socially acceptable pricing, since water and waste services must have the following characteristics: essentialness, indispensability, universal access, equity, reliability and cost-efficiency associated with the quality of service.
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