Prices in Friedrichsthal are rising: pools and waste fees affected!

Prices in Friedrichsthal are rising: pools and waste fees affected!

On November 1, 2025, the Friedrichsthal city council unanimously decided on new entry fees for the local outdoor and indoor swimming pools. This new definition contains a modified form compared to the original proposal. The individual tariff for adults has been reduced to 4.80 euros, so the previously planned fee of 5.00 euros will not be applied. The family card has also been adjusted and now costs 8.50 euros instead of the previous 8.00 euros.

However, the prices for reduced individual tickets have increased: they are now 3.80 euros instead of 3.40 euros. The cost of the 10-ticket for adults, which now costs 43.00 euros (instead of 39.00 euros), as well as the sauna-only single ticket, which now costs 10.00 euros (instead of 8.00 euros), have also increased. The city expects additional revenue of around 14 percent compared to the old tariff model.

Municipality and energy planning

The meeting also discussed municipal heat planning, which must be carried out by June 30, 2028 due to the Federal Heat Planning Act. The costs for the heat planning will be reimbursed by the state, which received the approval of the majority in the city council. However, there were four abstentions from the AfD parliamentary group.

Furthermore, an application for funding for an energy management system to increase energy efficiency in urban properties was discussed. The total project costs amount to 447,406.82 euros, with a funding rate of 90 percent planned. The city's own contribution will amount to 44,740.68 euros over the years 2026 to 2029. Critical questions were raised regarding the long-term perspective of this project.

Fee increases in the waste and wastewater sector

Another resolution by the city council authorized the mayor to approve the 2026 economic plan of the Saar Waste Management Association (EVS), which includes fee increases in the waste and wastewater management. Waste fees will increase by 3.9 percent and wastewater fees by 6.8 percent. The association's uniform wastewater contribution will be increased from 3,588 euros per cubic meter to 3,832 euros.

The EVS plans to invest around 112.7 million euros in projects in the areas of wastewater and waste. The background to these measures is, among other things, the announcement that the number of waste paper containers in Saarland will be reduced from 860 to 550. There was also a discussion about the renovation of footpaths, which was estimated to cost around 100,000 euros for the complete renovation.

Funding and innovation projects

The meeting also discussed a proposal from the CDU to introduce a “funding guideline” for urban associations from January 1, 2026. The aim is to achieve an annual funding pot of 10,000 euros, which was unanimously transferred to the Social/Cultural Committee for detailed consultation. The planned projects and measures aim to increase the quality of life in Friedrichsthal and to offer support to the associations in the community.

In summary, the Friedrichsthal City Council is taking proactive steps to address both the city's financial concerns and the needs of its citizens.