Parish council unanimously creates Aigües de la Massana for water management and passes €29M budget

La Massana parish council unanimously approved the creation of Aigües de la Massana, a fully public company to oversee the entire water cycle, including capture, treatment, distribution, maintenance, and infrastructure upgrades. Passed during Monday's session, the initiative seeks to tackle past shortages, an aging network, population growth, and climate pressures through quicker operations, long-term strategies, leak-reduction tools, and reliable supply. Finance councillor Agustí Garcia called it a "responsible, bold, and necessary" measure to ensure round-the-clock service as an essential public good, with the council holding final say on tariffs and investments. Deputy mayor Roger Fité stressed the need for greater agility, while Mayor Eva Sansa described it as an early-stage project involving a feasibility study and potential future shares for tech partners. Existing water staff will retain public employee status and choose between staying with the council or transferring.

In the same meeting, councillors passed the 2026 balanced budget of €28.975 million—up 19.5% from 2025's €24.24 million—with opposition abstentions. Capital expenditure reached a record €10.345 million, a 34% increase from €7.7 million, prioritizing water network renewals (€2.5 million), the parish's €4.6 million share of Massana-Ordino bypass works, new parking in Escàs and Arinsal (€1.3 million), a L'Aldosa services building exceeding €2 million, Setúria refuge upgrades, Plaça de les Fontetes improvements, historic village refurbishments, added green areas, and playgrounds. Personnel costs rose 10% to €6.49 million, reflecting staff growth from 166 to 174 and 3% IPC-linked raises. Goods and services spending increased 14-15% to €8.4 million. A €1.462 million outlay will complete the EMAP preferred shares repurchase linked to past Pal Arinsal ski debt. Projected debt is €6.7 million, or 31.8%, deemed sustainable.

Revenues grew 19.53%, driven by third-tier water rates rising from €1.05/m³ to €1.50/m³, updated fees for new constructions, businesses, and connections, a €120 minimum annual hygiene and lighting fee for commercial activities, and €150 for business registrations. Resident levies like foc i lloc remained unchanged, with the council subsidizing 65% of services. The budget follows six priorities: water resource efficiency, infrastructure enhancements, economic and tourism growth, urban planning reviews, IT upgrades, and tax tweaks for service funding.

Provisional POUP amendments, subject to 30 days of public consultation and government approval, raise mandatory land cessions to 15%—LOGTU's legal maximum—across urban, urbanizable, and non-consolidated areas to address shortfalls in open spaces and facilities, backed by studies. Provisional housing on 3,000m² plots is limited to 75m² per floor, down from 150m², to curb permanent residences in underserviced zones intended for temporary uses like farm sheds. Outdoor storage of construction materials is now banned to cut visual, safety, hygiene, and environmental risks.

Further approvals covered €52,000 for stormwater repairs in Carrer de les Entrades, €541,000 for tax management software, and a new public service ordinance developed with unions, addressing equality, cybersecurity, staff classification, selection, mobility, and discipline. Opposition councillor Guillem Forné abstained, recognizing strengths despite policy differences.