Canberrans pay the highest water usage prices in the country, a new report into the water industry has revealed.
The latest Water Services Association of Australia report shows while fixed annual water charges in the ACT are the lowest in the country at $95.63, continuing water usage charges are higher than every other jurisdiction.
Canberrans pay a minimum of $2.33 and maximum of $4.66 for each kilolitre of water they use, while their Sydney counterparts pay a fixed rate of $2.10.
Darwin residents pay $1.29 per kilolitre and Brisbane residents pay a maximum of $1.26 for each kilolitre of water they use.
The report makes a number of recommendations to help the water industry plan for the future and says the carbon tax is unlikely to affect household water bills.
Water Services Association of Australia executive director Adam Lovell said water bills were likely to increase in the next decade due to the costs of new infrastructure.
He said customers would still receive good value for money.
”I always say to people that if you can get an essential service delivered inside your home all day and night without any interruptions for around $2 a tonne then that is good value for money.”
Mr Lovell said the industry had moved towards water efficiency and away from restrictions as a means of conserving water.
He predicted future consumers would be able to choose to pay a higher rate for their water to avoid having to comply with stringent water restrictions.
He said sewage was a valuable energy source that should be harnessed by water companies.
”The phosphorus price worldwide has gone sky high. Sewage is a valuable resource but these things take time.”
