From 1 July your water bill will increase. The Essential Services Commission (ESC), the
regulatory body for the Victorian water industry, has determined an 8.8% real price increase per year until 2013.
Under current water restrictions, a typical household in Western Water's region uses approximately 57,000 litres every four months (our billing period). With the new tariffs, this household will pay an additional $79 during 2008/09 or $1.52 per week under the tiered 'user pays' system.
More than a decade of below average rainfall has significantly impacted on Western Water and the cost of supplying water to our customers has increased. We need a secure supply of safe and good tasting water for the future. This means purchasing water from other sources and developing appropriate infrastructure.
Revenue raised through the ESC-approved pricing regime is returned to the community through high standards of service delivery and capital investment. Western Water committed record expenditure of $25 million on major works during the latest reporting period.
Melbourne Water Waterways Charge
Melbourne Water is now responsible for the management of waterways, drainage and floodplains throughout the Port Phillip and Westernport Bay Catchment. These services will be funded through an annual Waterways Charge to be collected by Western Water on behalf of Melbourne Water. For more information, visit
www.melbournewater.com.au
The annual charge is $62.08 for residential properties and inside the Melbourne Urban Growth Boundary or UGB.
The charge is $38.88 for all properties outside the UGB but within the Port Phillip and Westernport Bay Catchment. These charges affect our service region except for Woodend.
The UGB is set by the state government. For more information, visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/melbourne2030online
Service and Usage Charges 2008/09
Service access charges are billed across three billing periods, from the start of each financial year.
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WATER Service Access and Usage Charges |
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| Service Access (per year) |
$155.02
|
|
| Usage (per 4 month billing period) |
0-53 kilolitres: $0.9966 cents per KL
|
|
|
SEWERAGE Service Access Charge (per year) |
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| All towns and districts |
$418.99
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| MELBOURNE WATER WATERWAYS CHARGE (per year) | ||
| Within Urban Growth Boundary | $62.08 | |
| Outside Urban Growth Boundary | $38.88 |
Further Information
Click here to find out more about the ESC's role in regulating the water industry.
Western Water offers payment options for people who are having difficulties paying their water bills. If you receive a concession, the Department of Human Services has increased it by 14.8% plus CPI, or approximately $30 per year.
Or for more information telephone Customer Relations on 1300 650 422.