New water prices have been introduced for 2011-12. Water prices rose by 26.3% on average from 1 July 2011 . The pricing increase will contribute to critical investment in South Australia’s water infrastructure to ensure water security for the state into the future.
Key water security projects include:
More information on SA Water water security projects can be found on our major projects page.
To find out more about 2011-12 prices:
Please note concessions have increased for water and sewerage.
The water pricing for 2011-12 is:
|
Water use price |
Indicative quarterly threshold (91 days) |
Relevant daily threshold* |
|
$1.93/kL |
0 to 30kL |
0 to 0.3288kL |
|
$2.75/kL |
30 to 130kL |
0.3288kL to 1.4247kL |
|
$2.98/kL |
Above 130kL |
Above 1.4247kL |
Residential water rating system
There is a Statewide price for water. This means that whether you live in Ceduna or Campbelltown, Goolwa or Glenelg, everyone pays the same price per kilolitre (kL, one kL equals 1000 litres) for water regardless of the cost of getting that water to your home.
This system is considered the fairest way to spread the cost of providing and maintaining basic water facilities across the community.
Water pricing for residential customers is broken down into:
- An annual fixed charge for supplying the service
- A stepped pricing system for water use - the more you use, the higher your bill
Residential properties include houses, maisonettes, home units, flats and strata/community title residences and vacant residential land.
Calculation of water use charges is based on the number of days between meter readings. For 2011-12 this will be:
- Quarterly supply charge of $58.65
- Quarterly water use charges based meter readings taken approximately every three months*
- For the first 0.3288 kL used per day $1.93 per kL
- For use above 0.3288 kL per day $2.75 per kL
- For use above 1.4247kL per day $2.98 per kL
In practice, prices are expressed on a daily basis to take account of the fact that the number of days between meter readings can vary.
Read the new residential pricing brochure for more information.
Strata and community title properties
If your home is part of a Strata or Community Title Corporation and the water supply is provided through one meter, there are three available options for water use billing.
Your Strata or Community Title Corporation Secretary can apply to SA Water, for one of the following billing options to be implemented:
- An even split between all of the units which is included on each individual owner’s accounts
- An uneven split (agreed by the owners) included on individual owner’s accounts
- An account sent direct to the Corporation Secretary
Non-residential water rating
SA Water has two categories of non-residential customers:
-
Commercial customers, including retail, wholesale, and various other service providers.
-
Other non-residential customers, including industrial and rural customers, hospitals and hotels.
The water price structure for commercial customers comprises a supply charge, based on property value, and a two tier water usage charge. The first tier is marginally higher than that charged to residential customers. The second tier is the same as that charged to residential customers.
Customers classified commercial for the purpose of the water rating system are broadly those with land use codes related to the wholesale, retail, finance and other service sectors.
From 1 July 2011 these charges are:
- Quarterly minimum charge of $68.25. For commercial customers who incur a supply charge greater than this, this charge should on average be approximately 3.5% higher than their charge in 2010-11.
|
Water use price |
Indicative quarterly threshold (approximately 91 days) |
Relevant daily threshold* |
|
$2.13/kL |
0 to 30kL |
0 to 0.3288kL |
|
$2.75kL |
Above 30kL |
Above 0.3288kL |
The rate in the dollar of capital value used to calculate the charge will be determined in June 2011 when the latest property value information can be used to determine a rate consistent with the average 3.5% increase.
Read the new non-residential pricing brochure for more information.
Other non-residential properties
Non-residential properties other than those commercial properties covered above include industry, mining, quarrying, medical and health services premises, vacant non-residential land, land used for primary production and country lands properties.
The water pricing system set by Government for other non-residential properties includes a supply charge for the service and a two-stepped pricing system for water use. There is no annual water allowance and any water used is charged at the current price.
From 1 July 2011 this will be:
A quarterly minimum charge of $68.25.
|
Water use price |
Indicative quarterly threshold (approximately 91 days) |
Relevant daily threshold* |
|
$2.13/kL |
0 to 30kL |
0 to 0.3288kL |
|
$2.75kL |
Above 30kL |
Above 0.3288kL |
Sewerage rates are based on the capital value of the property, set by the Valuer-General for the financial year.
Sewerage rates are calculated as a percentage of the capital value of the property or the declared minimum rate, whichever is the greater. Subject to the minimum of $81.25 the quarterly rates in 2011-12 are:
Metropolitan
Residential 28.925 cents per $1000 of property value
Non residential 33.625 cents per $1000 of property value
Country
Residential 38.15 cents per $1000 of property value
Non residential 47.075 cents per $1000 of property value
These rates take account of the latest property valuations for 2011-12 and provide for an average increase for metropolitan customers of 5.5% and 6% for country customers. The charges per dollar of property value are in practice around half those that applied 10 years ago taking account of the general movement in property values over that time. Neither SA Water nor the Government reaps any windfall gain in sewerage rates as a result of the general increase in property values.
Transparency Statements
A Regulatory Statement setting out the background to the Government’s decision will replace the Transparency Statement process for 2011-12. A copy of the 2011-12 Drinking Water and Sewerage Prices Regulatory Statement can be accessed at the Department of Treasury and Finance website.
The State Government is committed to transparency in setting water and wastewater prices. For a full statement on the water and wastewater pricing processes and outcomes - published by the State Government - click on the links below.
Transparency Statement Part A 2007/08
Transparency Statement Part B 2007/08
Transparency Statement Part C 2007/08
Transparency Statement Part A 2006/07
Transparency Statement Part B 2006/07
Transparency Statement 2006/07 - Treasurers Interim Response
Transparency Statement Part C 2006/07
Water and Wastewater Pricing Transparency Document Part A 2005/2006
Water and Wastewater Pricing Transparency Document Part B 2005/2006
Water and Wastewater Pricing Transparency Document Part C 2005/2006
Water Pricing 2004/05 (Overview brochure)
Water Transparency Document 2004/2005 Part A
Water Transparency Document 2004/05 Part B
Water Transparency Document 2004/05 Part C
Wastewater Transparency Document 2004/05 Part A
Wastewater Transparency Document 2004/05 Part B
Wastewater Transparency Document 2004/05 Part C