Prices and charges

Prices for water and sewerage services have been reduced for 2018-19, delivering an annual bill reduction of 3.67% on a business customer's bill.

These reduced prices are one component or our five year price plan to help deliver lower cost services that are fair and affordable for all.

2018-19 prices

Our charges and what your bill pays for

Most of what we do you’ll never see, much like the plumbing in your home or business. Here’s how we use the money you pay on your bill to provide reliable water and sewerage supplies for every customer.

Water usage

This charge covers the amount of water used at your property, which is recorded by your water meter. We bill this per kilolitre (kl) of water used.

Service charges

Your water and sewerage service charges allow us to maintain, upgrade and expand our water and sewerage networks so we can continue to provide you with high quality drinking water and safe sewerage removal, now and into the future.

Sewage disposal

Your sewage is safely collected and removed, before it is treated for reuse or disposal. Sewage is wastewater from areas of your property like the toilet, kitchen, laundry and bathroom.

Fire service

This charge covers the operational and maintenance costs associated with increased demand on the water network in the event of a fire at properties with a fire service.

Other authorities’ charges

Waterways and drainage charge

The waterways and drainage charge helps protect and improve the health of our waterways. It also protects us from floods. South East Water collects this charge on behalf of Melbourne Water. In 2018–19, the minimum quarterly charge for non-residential customers is $34.00 per quarter. For more information, visit Melbourne Water’s website or contact them on 131 722.

Trade waste charges

Trade waste application

Fee $56.35 - Each new trade waste customer is charged with a one-off fee to cover the initial costs of processing a trade waste application.

Trade waste agreement

This is an annual charge which covers the cost of administering and monitoring trade waste agreements. The level of the charge is based on a customer's risk ranking, based on their business activities, trade waste volume and quality, their history and their location in relation to a sewage treatment plant.

Volumetric and quality charges​

For customers whose trade waste exceeds any one of the following parameters, these volumetric and quality charges will apply.

• Volume greater than 1,000 kL/year
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand greater than 600 mg/L
• Suspended solids greater than 600 mg/L.