Water charges increase but debate may be on the cards

Metrowater is increasing its residential charges from Thursday by 1.4 per cent.

Chief executive Tim Hammond said that even though the wholesale costs of water and wastewater from Watercare had risen in the past year by 9 and 11 per cent respectively, Metrowater had managed to absorb these increases.

Mr Hammond said that cost-management strategies introduced over the year had meant that Metrowater's plan to break even had succeeded.

In comparison, water charges rose by 5.9 per cent this time last year. This year, Metrowater's fixed service charge goes up from $79.92 a year to $81.04. This charge applies regardless of whether you use any water.

Metered water goes up from $1.562 per cubic metre to $1.584. And wastewater, calculated as three-quarters of a household's water usage, rises from $3.745 per cubic metre to $3.797.

The good news is that Metrowater plans to offer a rebate later this year.

Depending on the company's end-of-year result, Mr Hammond believes customers can look forward to a $20 to $30 rebate per account.