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

La Massana parish council has unanimously approved the creation of Aigües de la Massana, a fully public company to oversee the complete water cycle, including capture, treatment, distribution, maintenance and infrastructure expansion. Finance Councillor Agustí Garcia called the step "responsible, bold and necessary" to ensure efficient, equitable 24/7 management of this essential resource amid past shortages, especially in summer, linked to population growth, an ageing network and climate change. The council retains ultimate authority on tariffs and investments. Cònsol Major Eva Sansa noted the initiative's early stage, with feasibility studies ahead and potential future share issuances to private partners for specialised expertise, while preserving public control. Current public water staff will keep their status and choose whether to remain with the council or join the company. Cònsol Menor Roger Fité added that the setup will speed up responses, enable long-term planning and deploy leak-detection technology.

Councillors also approved the 2026 budget of €28.975 million, up 19.5% from 2025's €24.24 million, with balanced revenues and expenses. Investments reach €10.34 million, a 33% increase, prioritising water infrastructure at €2.5 million for reservoir expansions, network renewals and control systems—a "strategic priority", Sansa said. Over €4 million targets new parking in Escàs, Arinsal and Pal; more than €2 million funds a services building in l'Aldosa; €4.6 million covers complementary Massana-Ordino bypass works; and additional allocations support Setúria refuge refurbishments, Plaça de les Fontetes upgrades, green spaces and playgrounds. Personnel costs rise 10.1% for a staff of 174, from 166, including 3% inflation adjustments. Debt is forecast at 31.8%, or €6.7 million, viewed as sustainable. Garcia framed the expansive budget within Andorra's positive economic context.

The opposition abstained. Councillor Guillem Forné stated it was not their budget but they found no reason for rejection.

Provisional changes raise mandatory urban land cessions to 15%—the maximum under the General Territory Ordinance Law—for urban, urbanisable and non-consolidated areas, backed by studies highlighting shortfalls in public spaces and facilities. A 30-day public consultation follows BOPA publication, requiring prior government approval. Unanimous POUP amendments prohibit open-air construction material storage to curb visual, safety, hygiene and environmental risks, and cut provisional building sizes on 3,000m² plots from 150m² to 75m² per floor, preventing their use as permanent homes in underdeveloped zones. Sansa emphasised this restores their original intent, like farm structures.

Tax updates promote conservation, lifting third-tier water rates from €1.05/m³ to €1.50/m³, introducing fees for construction connections, infrastructure maintenance and urban licences—generating €1.6 million extra without raising core resident taxes such as hearth and home or hygiene. Commercial hygiene fees now have a €120 minimum, radicació €150. The council approved public service regulations, developed with the workers' union, covering staffing, equality, cybersecurity and digital transformation, plus a €541,000 contract for tax management software upgrades. Garcia outlined six strategic lines: efficient water resource management, infrastructure improvements, economic and tourism growth, urban planning review, IT modernisation and tax updates for public funding.