Water bills to fall in Melbourne, lower than inflation increases for most regional customers

Most Melbourne households will enjoy a drop in water bills for the year ahead, while bills in regional Victoria will mostly rise by less than inflation.

The Essential Services Commission has confirmed the prices to apply from 1 July for the state’s 16 water businesses providing urban water and sewerage services.

Commission pricing director Marcus Crudden says depending on water usage, city dwellers will pay a little less, while regional household bills will vary depending on the water business.

“Your average water bill goes up or down every year based on a number of factors including how much water you use, changes in inflation and how much your water business spends on maintaining infrastructure and services,” he said.

In Melbourne, annual household bills for South East Water customers will fall by $9 on average, with reductions of $7 for City West Water and $3 for Yarra Valley Water customers.

The biggest regional winners include Goulburn Valley Water with annual savings of around $11, with bills for Central Highlands Water and Wannon Water falling by around $6.

As part of strategies to address affordability, East Gippsland Water will charge below their maximum approved prices for water services, keeping these prices steady until 31 December.

Mr Crudden says it is pleasing bills are falling or generally steady across the state, given current challenges facing the community.

“Generally, lower borrowing costs have limited price changes and in metropolitan Melbourne, helped to offset the impact of the recent desalination water order,” he said.

“If a customer is experiencing difficulty in paying their bill, they should speak to their water supplier about the range of payment support options available.”

Indicative household bills – water and sewerage

Metro water - residential (owner occupier)

^{Based on average consumption of 150kL p.a}

Regional water – residential (owner occupier)

^{Based on average consumption rates for each water business.}