Is it just a reaction to the drought of 2022, or has attention grown that will remain over time? The answer will only arrive in the coming months (and years), but in the meantime the data is there: in 2023, in the Bergamo area, water consumption decreased by over 4%: approximately three million fewer cubic meters sold by Uniacque compared to ‘last year. In particular, we went from over 75.3 million cubic meters in 2022 (a figure in line with previous years), to 72.2 million last year. «A phenomenon also noticed by other managers», comments the CEO of Uniacque, Pierangelo Bertocchi.
The headquarters of Uniacque
Profit of 4.6 million
The data comes from the report on the 2023 financial statements of the integrated water service company, which will be presented at the shareholders’ meeting on Tuesday. «The drop in volumes, certainly positive from an environmental point of view, can be linked to two aspects – observes Bertocchi -. On the one hand, citizens have understood the critical issues linked to the drought: even the ordinances issued to invite them to contain consumption may have helped. On the other hand, there may also be optimization processes carried out by companies.”
Going into detail, in fact, the decline was seen both on domestic users (from 58.4 to 55.7 million cubic metres) and on non-domestic users (from approximately 16.8 to 16.4 million cubic metres). And the revenues for Uniacque consequently fell by almost five million euros, which in any case closed 2023 in the black with an operating profit of 4.6 million euros, also linked to some positive developments that arrived during the year, like the 1.7 million euro prize received from the Arera authority.
Investments made in 2023 amount to 31.6 million euros, up by almost 3 million on 2022
Investments made in 2023 amount to 31.6 million euros, up by almost 3 million on 2022. In general, the figure has always been rising since 2020. The exploit seems destined to arrive in the current year: thanks also to important Pnrr contributions, there is talk of approaching 60 million euros.
«Solid balance sheet»
«We present ourselves at the meeting with a solid budget – comments the president of Uniacque, Luca Serughetti –, with an improvement in all economic and financial indices and with the aim of further improving investments and services to the community and companies. The strategy adopted over the course of these years has allowed us to change the company’s historical situation, and to ensure that even an unpredictable two-year period like the one just passed, due to various critical factors such as the energy emergency and drought, became the driving force of a further leap in quality.” Serughetti recalls the work that began in 2021 «with the heavy commitment of giving financial stability to the company. A condition that has proven to be fundamental to face an incredibly complex 2022, with costs for raw materials and energy out of control.”
«It is a positive moment for water availability, thanks also to the rainfall of recent weeks. The basins are full, it hasn’t happened since 2022″
In 2023 the situation has improved on the energy front, thanks also to a series of efficiency measures which have led to a reduction in consumption (and at the same time costs have dropped somewhat, after the peak of two years ago).
The availability of water is also decidedly better, although obviously attention remains high: «It is a positive moment for water availability, thanks also to the rainfall of recent weeks – says Bertocchi -. The basins are full, it hasn’t happened since 2022.”
Twelve «lonely» municipalities
The aggregation process to become the sole operator in the province of Bergamo is still underway for Uniacque: in 2023, Locatello and Selvino entered, and an agreement was signed with Cogeide (which operates in the Bassa): here Uniacque will take over on 1 July 2028. There remain around ten “rebel” valley municipalities, which in recent years they did not want to join and maintain autonomous management, “in economy”: they are Olmo al Brembo, Isola di Fondra, Rota Imagna, Roncobello, Santa Brigida, Branzi, Cusio, Mezzoldo, Camerata Cornello, Averara, Vedeseta and Piazzatorre. Still on the subject of aggregations, the issue with the former Hidrogest on the “residual value” to be liquidated still remains open.
Company reorganization
On Tuesday, therefore, the whole picture will be submitted to the mayors. And we look to the future: «Sustainability, circular economy, investments and continuous push towards technological and digital innovation are the elements on which we continue to focus, to guarantee all citizens a high-quality, safe and sufficient water supply to satisfy primary needs – concludes Serughetti –. A challenge that we will be able to overcome if we know how to put people at the center. In fact, we are also starting a new phase of corporate reorganization, which I am sure will lead us to new and important results.”
Learn more about the topic on the digital copy of L’Eco di Bergamo on 26 April
