Pricing Information

How rates are determined

Each year the State Government sets water and sewerage charges for different types of properties:

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

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 (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 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.

The residential water charges set by Government for 2008/2009 are:

A quarterly access charge of $39.35
71 cents per kilolitre (kL) for the first 120 kL used in the year
$1.38 per kL for residential consumption above 120 kL over the year
$1.65 per kL for consumption above 520 kL over the year for homes, home units, maisonettes, townhouses, row houses and some shacks. Excluded from this third tier are blocks of flats and multiple land use properties on a single property assessment.

These rates are payable on any land that can be connected to an available water main, whether or not the property is connected to the water supply system.

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

Commercial water rating

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.

For 2008/2009 charges applied to commercial customers are:

Annual supply charge:

0.0790% of property value subject to a minimum of $174.60

Quarterly this is 0.01975% of property value with a minimum of $43.65

Water use charges of:

0 - 120kL 71c per kL

>121kL $1.38 per kL

Rating for 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 an annual 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.

A quarterly access charge of $43.65
71 cents per kilolitre (kL) for the first 120 kL used in the year
$1.38 per kL for business consumption above 120 kL over the year

Sewerage rating system

Sewerage rates are based on the capital value of the property, set by the Valuer-General on 1 July each year.

Sewerage rates are calculated as a percentage of the capital value of the property or the declared minimum rate, whichever is the greater. The current minimum rate is $72.75 per quarter or $291 per annum. In 2008/2009 the rates are:

Metropolitan

Residential 0.1242% of property value

Non-residential 0.1389% of property value

Country

Residential 0.1573% of property value

Non-residential 0.1894% of property value

Sewerage rates are payable on any land that can be connected to a sewer main, whether or not the property is connected to the sewerage system.

If you would like to know more about water and sewer charges please call our Customer Contact Centre on 1300 650 950.