If you own vacant land in an area serviced by Western Water you will receive a bill from Western Water whether you are connected to the water system or not.
All property owners are required to pay a fixed charge for the provision of these services, however a usage charge is applicable only to water consumption.
The following are some frequently asked questions by owners of vacant land.
Fixed charges
Western Water charges a service fee to all customers owning land that can be serviced by our infrastructure. Even if you do not connect to our water and/or sewerage system immediately, you are still responsible for contributing towards the upkeep of assets that have the capacity to service your property in the future.
Why do I pay for a service that I don't receive?
Your vacant block of land has access to water and possibly wastewater services. By having access to these services, your land is worth more in resale value.
When you choose to connect, you will not be required to pay to have the reticulation system (the pipes and pumps that service your property) extended to include your property, although you will have to pay private connection costs. Consequently, even though you do not currently use the system, you do benefit from it being there and are therefore required to contribute to the maintenance of the system.
We don't pay a fixed charge for electricity or gas until we connect. Why do we pay for water?
The infrastructure costs associated with the provision of water and wastewater services are higher than those associated with electricity or gas. Water and wastewater services each need a separate piping system and as most systems rely on gravity to move the water and wastewater, they need to be designed with a high degree of precision.
If all customers don't share the fixed costs associated with the service, then those actually using the service will unfairly subsidise owners who receive the benefit of higher land values associated with access to this service.
Why should we pay vacant land charges at Western Water when people living in Melbourne don't?
Some of the larger water companies do not charge fees on vacant land. They can afford to do this, given their large customer base, which absorbs the costs associated with unconnected land.
Western Water however, would need to increase the cost of water to our connected customers to carry maintenance of the system for the unconnected blocks of land. We believe that this subsidy would be inequitable.
Can Western Water legally levy this charge?
Western Water has the power to levy a service charge on all serviced properties as defined by Sections 144 and 259 of the Water Act 1989.
Do any other water companies levy service charges on vacant land?
Yes, in fact most rural urban water businesses apply service charges to vacant land.
Usage charges
Western Water charges an amount per kilolitre for all water consumed on your property. A meter on your property measures the amount of water consumed, which is read every four months. Your water account shows you how much water you have used in the current four-month cycle and also for the most recent cycles.
Click on the following link for further information on your meter and meter readings. Your Meter.
provides reasonable assurance to Western Water that he/she will comply with the plan.