26 June 2008
City West Water this week confirmed prices for water, sewerage and trade waste will increase by 14.8 per cent, plus an adjustment for CPI, from 1 July 2008. This is equal to a total price increase of 19.67 per cent.
The average residential customer bill will increase by about $2.00 per week, or less than 25 cents a day.
City West Water Managing Director, Anne Barker, said it was working with the Victorian Government to plan for the city’s water needs, not just for today but for the long-term.
“The ongoing drought, one of the worst on record, has taken its toll on Melbourne’s water reservoirs, while climate change will pose more long-term challenges for the water industry,” Ms Barker said.
“Our customers have done a fantastic job saving water over the last few years and this has been a vital first step to tackle the immediate issue of low water storages. Paying a little more for water is a necessary second step to make sure we have enough for the future.”
Ms Barker said that a recent report by the Water Services Association of Australia found City West Water’s average household water bills were the cheapest of any major Australian city.
“Our average household bill is around $230 less than Sydney. Even with the increase, our bills will still be hundreds of dollars less than other major capital cities,” Ms Barker said.
The price increase was announced by the Victorian Government last August and was reviewed and approved by the Essential Services Commission (ESC) last week.
Last June, the Victorian Government announced its Water Plan, which marks a $4.9 billion investment in water and sewage infrastructure projects including a desalination plant, the Foodbowl Modernisation Project and a major upgrade to the Eastern Treatment Plant.
City West Water is also investing in extending and upgrading the water mains and sewerage network, reducing the amount of water lost through bursts and leaks, and water conservation projects for residents and businesses.
“We all have a stake in our water supply, and that’s why the cost of sharing, creating and conserving water needs to be paid for by all users,” Ms Barker said.
The Victorian Government has increased concession rates by the same level as the price increase to help low income earners.
”City West Water also provides flexible payment terms and a range of payment options to help manage their bills which include paying by instalments, extending the time you have to pay your bill, and one-off financial assistance,” Ms Barker said.
City West Water’s new prices are:
| Residental charge | Prices from 1 July 2008 |
| Water service charge | $31.62 per quarter |
| Sewerage service charge | $33.63 per quarter |
| Sewage disposal charge | $1.3392 per 1,000 litres |
| Water usage charge | Step 1 - $1.0248 per 1,000 litres for the first 440 litres of water used per day |
| Step 2 - $1.2025 per 1,000 litres for water use over 440 and up to 880 litres per day. | |
| Step 3 - $1.7766 per 1,000 litres for water use above 880 litres per day. | |
| Non-residential charges | Prices from 1 July 2008 |
| Water service charge | $46.06 per quarter |
| Sewerage service charge | $59.41 per quarter |
| Water usage charge | $1.1376 per 1,000 litres |
| Sewage disposal charge | $1.3031 per 1,000 litres |