City West Water’s New Prices Confirmed

28 June 2010

Prices for water, sewerage and trade waste will increase from 1 July 2010...

City West Water has confirmed prices for water, sewerage and trade waste will increase from 1 July 2010 in line with Essential Services Commission approval.

Water usage charges will rise by 22%, and sewage disposal charges will rise by 8.9%. Service charges for water will increase by 9.9%, and service charges for sewerage will increase by 16.9%. Trade waste charges will rise by 14.4%. All price increases include an adjustment for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.89%.

City West Water Managing Director, Anne Barker, said the price increases are part of a five-year plan in conjunction with the Victorian Government and Melbourne’s water companies to plan for the city’s water needs for the long-term.

“As we look to alternative supplies of water for Melbourne, including the desalination plant and the Sugarloaf pipeline, these supplies come with increased costs which need be paid for by all users,” Ms Barker said.

“The increased cost of water and sewerage will be used to fund the new sources of water, as well as helping us invest more in conserving and recycling water and major sewerage projects.

“After more than thirteen years of drought and our water storages levels hovering at around one-third full, these new sources of water will secure Melbourne’s long term water needs.”

Ms Barker said that despite the increase, City West Water’s typical household water bills were the cheapest of any major Australian city.

“While I understand that the price increases will place pressure on some household budgets in the current economic climate, the increases are necessary and a typical water bill would still be hundreds of dollars less each year than the other capitals.

The Government concession has increased to help low income earners, and City West Water provides flexible payment terms and a range of payment options to help people manage their bills which include paying by instalments, extending the time you have to pay your bill, and one-off financial assistance.

“The new price rises will cost the average household in City West Water’s area around 28 cents a day, which is a reasonable investment for delivering vital new water sources for the city.”

Ms Barker explained that despite new water sources coming on line in the next few years, water conservation will still remain a priority.

“Even with the alternate sources coming on line in the future, water still remains a precious resource, and we’ll continue with our water conservation programs for households and commercial users.

“While the community – both households and commercial users – has done a fantastic job of saving water over recent years, the increased cost will provide further incentives to save water, and we’re committed to helping our customers save as much as they can.” City West Water’s new prices are as follows:

Residential Charges	New price from 1 July 2010	Price increase compared to 2009
Water service charge	$38.53 per quarter	$3.53 per quarter
Water usage charge	Block 1 – $1.5427 per kilolitre for the first 440 litres of water used per day. Block 2 – $1.8102 per kilolitre for water usage above 440 and up to 880 litres per day. Block 3 – $2.6745 per kilolitre for water usage above 880 litres per day.	Block 1 – $0.2827 per kilolitre for the first 440 litres of water used per day. Block 2 – $0.3317 per kilolitre for water usage above 440 and up to 880 litres per day. Block 3 – $0.4901 per kilolitre for water usage above 880 litres per day.
Sewerage service charge	$46.50 per quarter	$6.85 per quarter
Sewage disposal charge	$1.5862 per kilolitre	$0.1317 per kilolitre
Non Residential Charges	New price from 1 July 2010	Price increase compared to 2009
Water service charge	$56.12 per quarter	$5.14 per quarter
Water usage charge	$1.7125 per kilolitre	$0.3138 per kilolitre
Sewerage service charge	$82.12 per quarter	$12.11 per quarter
Sewage disposal charge	$1.5435 per kilolitre	$0.1282 per kilolitre