Proposal to adjust the municipal user fees

The waste disposal and service company of the city of Bocholt (ESB) is proposing an adjustment to the user fees for 2026. This is due to cost developments in several service areas as well as changes in the general conditions. Despite selective fee increases, the total fee burden for a sample household will fall slightly in the coming year.

Waste disposal costs are currently remaining stable after significant increases in recent years. Overall, the ESB expects costs to rise by 2.4 per cent, in particular due to higher district fees and increased personnel costs as a result of the public sector pay rise.

At the same time, the relief from provisions will be lower than in previous years. The fees are therefore to be adjusted moderately. There will be an increase of 4.5 per cent for residual waste and 2.5 per cent for organic waste. The annual fee for the 120-litre residual waste bin will rise from 157 to 165 euros, and from 67 to 69 euros for the 120-litre organic waste bin.

Increase in street cleaning

The cost development in the area of street cleaning is having a much greater impact. Higher expenses for the disposal of street rubbish, personnel and vehicles lead to an increase in total costs. As previous provisions have been fully utilised, the need for fees has increased significantly compared to the previous year. With weekly cleaning, the annual fee per front metre increases from 1.98 euros to 2.54 euros.

In contrast, there is a noticeable reduction in the wastewater sector. Despite a general cost increase of 2.1 per cent, higher withdrawals from reserves and updated data on surface area and fresh water consumption have resulted in lower charges. The price for wastewater is reduced from 2.45 euros per cubic metre to 2.35 euros, for rainwater from 0.72 euros per square metre to 0.65 euros.

The fees for the municipal cemeteries will remain unchanged for the time being. However, the trend towards maintenance-free graves and urn burials will change the cost structure in the long term. The ESB is currently working on a new concept and calculation. Revised cemetery statutes are expected in the course of next year.

Overall stable charges

Overall, Bocholt is continuing the stable development of fees that has been in place for years, even if there are shifts in individual areas. The administration assesses the changes based on a sample household in Bocholt of four people with 120-litre residual waste and organic waste bins, 15 front metres of weekly street cleaning, 160 cubic metres of waste water and 150 square metres of sealed surface area. For this example household, the total charge will fall from 753.70 euros in 2025 to 745.60 euros in 2026.