Quito residents are expressing frustration over a new waste collection fee that is now included in their water bills, resulting in significant increases in costs.
Starting February 1, 2026, Quito has changed the method of collecting its waste management fee by incorporating it into the water bill due to the suspension of the service by the National Government. This new order has led to rising tensions in the city, as citizens begin to voice their concerns and frustrations over the steep increase in their monthly expenses. Just one month into the implementation of this ordinance, complaints are rampant among residents who are struggling to adjust to the new payment structure.
Many citizens, particularly the elderly, have provided personal accounts of how the increased fees have impacted their families. For example, Mariana Vásconez Morejón, a 70-year-old woman who runs a small restaurant in Chimbacalle, lamented that her monthly bill has skyrocketed from $40 to $93. This drastic rise in expenses has made it difficult for her to continue running her business, as she cannot raise prices for her customers due to the economic climate, effectively forcing her to choose between essential expenses and her health needs.
In response to the growing discontent, the Quito City Council is seeking to negotiate a deal with the Electric Company to facilitate the collection of the garbage fee. As the city grapples with the implications of this new mandate and its effects on the community, it faces increased scrutiny from the public and pressure to find a solution that alleviates the financial burden on its residents.
