Ever think about the future? We do. The desalinated (desal) water order is one way we’re planning ahead. So you can always rely on us for clean, safe drinking water.

In 2020, we’ve made another order for 125 billion litres of desal water whilst keeping your bill stable. In 2020-21, on average bills will remain stable.

The effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak have resulted in many of us doing it tough, so we’re keeping our bills fair and affordable. From 1 July 2020, the price you’ll pay for drinking water usage and sewage disposal will stay the same as 2019-20.

We’re continuing to deliver against our Five-year Customer Commitment and are focussing on the areas you told us you value the most, which includes protecting our environment and supporting your community, and delivering services that are fair and affordable for all.

Non-residential charges 2020-21 2019-20
Water service charge
per annum $102.12 $116.72
per quarter $25.43 $29.18
Sewerage service charge
per annum $441.92 $435.48
per quarter $110.48 $108.87
 
Water usage charge $3.3557 per kilolitre $3.3557 per kilolitre
 
Sewage disposal charge $1.8356 per kilolitre $1.8356 per kilolitre

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.

What your bill pays for

A general guide, based on the average bill for 2018-2023.

51%

Water services

Buying water from Melbourne Water; sampling it; and maintaining, upgrading and building new water infrastructure.

45%

Sewer services

Taking, treating and reusing sewage (including use of Melbourne Water plants); maintaining, upgrading and building new sewerage infrastructure.

4%

Other

An annual environment contribution paid to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP), to support sustainable water management initiatives.

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 2020–21, the minimum quarterly charge for non-residential customers is $39.18 per quarter . For more information, visit Melbourne Water’s website or contact them on 131 722.

Parks charge

The parks charge is used by Parks Victoria to maintain places we all enjoy, like Arthurs Seat, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, Lysterfield Park, Cardinia Park Reservoir and the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Property owners contribute towards this annual charge, which appears on your July, August or September bill. In 2020, the minimum charge for businesses is $79.02. For more information about the parks charge, visit Parks Victoria's website. 

Trade waste charges

Trade waste application

Fee $58.35 - 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 consent 

This is an annual charge which covers the cost of administering and monitoring trade waste consents. 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. 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.

 
 
Risk rank Price from 1 July 2020
1 $15,056.40
2 $7,528.16
3 $5,018.72
4 $2,509.32
5 $437.64

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
  • Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen greater than 50 mg/L
Volume and quality charges
Volume $0.9818/kL
Biochemical Oxygen Demand $0.9705/kg
Suspended solids $0.5442/kg

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen

(greater then 50mg/L)

 $2.1322/kg

Pricing and charges handbook

Read our pricing handbook that provides a list of South East Water’s prices and charges that recover the costs of delivering the services our customers value.