A/HRC/45/10/Add.3 tariffs for ger area residents, thus improving their access to drinking water at a more affordable price. 30 The Water Services Regulation Council announced that a change in calculation for water tariffs had been made in January 2019, but did not outline the impact on affordability.31 59. The Special Rapporteur regrettably did not receive information detailing specifically how the tariff setting model changes impacted affordability. He reminds the Government that affordability is a crucial dimension of the normative content of the human rights to water and sanitation, and that states have a responsibility to ensure that the most economically vulnerable persons are able to access sufficient, safe water and sanitation (A/HRC/30/39, para. 86). While charging for water and sanitation can be necessary for ensuring the economic, social and environmental sustainability of services, States must find ways of guaranteeing affordability, especially for the most disadvantaged individuals and communities, while also ensuring overall sustainability of services (A/HRC/30/39, para. 2). NO ASSESSMENT CAN BE MADE DUE TO LACK OF INFORMATION: The Special Rapporteur found no information on the update of the new tariff-setting model, and its impacts on affordability for groups in situations of economic vulnerability. He reiterates that affordability, focusing on such groups, must be a key principle of any tariff scheme. 2. Recommendation on disconnection of water services RECOMMENDATION 19: Establish a clearer procedure on disconnections of water services (A/HRC/39/55/Add.2, para. 82(k)). 60. The Special Rapporteur noted in his report that the Mongolian law did not prohibit disconnections of water services and that disconnection cases were addressed in the administrative courts, as they were considered an issue between an individual and a private entity contracted by the Government to provide water connections (A/HRC/39/55/Add.2, para. 62). 61. No information has been made available to the Special Rapporteur regarding changes to the water service disconnection process. The Special Rapporteur wishes to remind the Government that disconnections due to inability to pay is a retrogressive measure, and constitutes a human rights violation (A/HRC/30/39, para. 33). NO ASSESSMENT CAN BE MADE DUE TO LACK OF INFORMATION: The Special Rapporteur found no information about the steps it has taken to protect the population of Mongolia against disconnections of water services due to inability to pay. He highlights that the Government needs to take targeted steps to prohibit disconnections of people facing inability to pay water and sanitation bills. 30 31 UN Mongolia Country Results Report 2017-2018, 2019, 26. Mongolia Water Services Regulation Council, Tariffs and Payments for Water and Sewage Services Have Been Amended, 29 January 2019. 19