Publication date: 11.07.2024
Consumer protection in the water supply sector
Water supply is one of the most important public utilities that provides the population with clean and safe water for drinking, cooking, hygiene and other vital processes. High-quality water supply is a key to the health and well-being of citizens and contributes to the overall development of society. Consumer protection in this area is regulated by a number of legal acts that define the rights and obligations of consumers and service providers, as well as mechanisms for consumer protection. In this article, we will look at the main aspects of consumer protection in the water supply sector, the regulatory framework, consumer rights, protection mechanisms and the procedure for appealing against violations.
The legal framework
Consumer protection in the water supply sector in Ukraine is regulated by several key legal acts:
TheLaw of Ukraine "On Protection of Consumer Rights":
- Defines the legal framework for consumer protection, establishes consumer rights, obligations of service providers and the procedure for handling consumer complaints.
TheLaw of Ukraine "On Drinking Water and Drinking Water Supply":
- Defines the legal, economic and organisational framework for the functioning of drinking water supply systems, establishes requirements for the quality of drinking water, conditions for the provision of water supply services and liability for violations of legislation in this area.
TheLaw of Ukraine "On Housing and Communal Services":
- Defines the legal, organisational and economic framework for the provision of housing and communal services, including water supply. The Law establishes the rights and obligations of consumers and service providers, the procedure for concluding contracts and making payments for services provided.
Rules for the provision of centralised water supply and sewerage services:
- Establishes requirements for the quality and continuity of water supply services, the procedure for concluding contracts, metering of water consumption and payments for services provided.
Code of Administrative Offences (CAO):
- Provides for administrative liability for violation of the requirements of the legislation on the provision of water supply services, non-compliance with standards and rules of activity in this area.
Criminal Code of Ukraine (CCU):
- Establishes criminal liability for offences in the water supply sector, including negligence that led to serious consequences.
Basic rights of consumers in the water supply sector
The fundamental rights of consumers in the water supply sector, as defined by Ukrainian law, include
Theright to receive quality services:
- Consumers have the right to receive water supply services of appropriate quality that meet established norms and standards.
The right to uninterruptedwater supply:
- Consumers have the right to uninterrupted water supply throughout the year, except for periods of scheduled maintenance or emergency situations.
Right to accurate information:
- Consumers have the right to receive reliable, complete and understandable information about the terms of service, tariffs, water consumption and other aspects related to water supply.
Theright to fair tariffs:
- Consumers have the right to fair and transparent tariffs for water supply services that correspond to the economically justified costs of water production, transportation and supply.
Right to compensation for improper service provision:
- In the event of improper provision of water supply services, consumers have the right to compensation for damages, including tariff reductions, reimbursement for the cost of repairing damaged property, etc.
Theright to apply to courts and other consumer protection bodies:
- Consumers have the right to apply to courts, consumer protection authorities and human rights organisations to protect their rights.
Mechanisms for consumer protection
Ukrainian legislation provides several mechanisms for consumer protection in the water supply sector:
Contacting theservice provider:
- In the event of violations of their rights, consumers have the right to contact the service provider directly with a request to eliminate the violations, clarify the terms of the contract, provide additional information or compensate for damages.
Appealto local authorities:
- Consumers can file a complaint with local authorities, which oversee the activities of water service providers, review complaints and take enforcement action in case of violations.
Judicialprotection:
- Consumers have the right to file lawsuits to protect their rights, including claims for damages, compensation for non-pecuniary damage, and obligations of the service provider to remedy the violations.
Contacting theState Service of Ukraine for Consumer Protection:
- Consumers may apply to this authority to review complaints and conduct inspections of service providers' activities in relation to consumer rights.
Pre-trial dispute resolution:
- The legislation provides for the possibility of pre-trial settlement of disputes between consumers and service providers, including mediation, arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Recourseto human rights organisations:
- Consumers can turn to human rights organisations and lawyers to protect their rights and interests, whether it is a lawyer's consultation or a legal advice. Legal marketplace "CONSULTANT" will help you solve any problem! All the necessary services at any time: analysis of documents, legal analysis of the situation, legal analysis of the situation, written advice, verification of documents by a lawyer, legal analysis of documents, legal opinion of a lawyer, legal opinion of a lawyer, legal analysis. Are you looking for an online lawyer or a lawyer online? Choose CONSULTANT - a lawyer is always at your side!
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