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How commercial charges work
We break down how our water, wastewater and other charges are calculated for businesses.
Your bill sets out your water and wastewater service charges for each month.
Water charges
When it comes to water, we charge all property owners by volume used, which is measured via your water meter.
We charge per kilolitre (1,000 litres) of water.
Please see our latest charges to see how things are calculated (we adjust our prices annually on July 1).
Wastewater charges
There are two parts to your wastewater bill:
Fixed charge: This contributes to the cost of maintaining our network. There are five different plans, ranging from a low-user plan to an industry plan. See our latest charges to learn more.
Volumetric charge: This is based on the estimated volume of wastewater discharged, based on your industry type. It covers the cost of collecting and treating your wastewater.
How we calculate fixed wastewater charges The fixed wastewater charge is payable all year, whether the property is vacant or occupied. This is based on the number of days that your bill covers, not the amount of water you’ve used.
We spread the annual fixed charge across the year. You can see the number of days for the billing period on your bill.
The fixed wastewater charge is payable all year, whether the property is vacant or occupied. This is based on the number of days that your bill covers, not the amount of water you’ve used.
We spread the annual fixed charge across the year. You can see the number of days for the billing period on your bill.
How we calculate volumetric wastewater charges To determine your wastewater charges, we categorise businesses into different industry types, then we use a percentage to calculate how much of your water usage gets charged for wastewater services.
This percentage can be anywhere from five to 95 per cent, depending on what type of business you have.
For example:
- A concrete manufacturer, which typically discharges a low amount of wastewater, would be charged at five per cent.
- A restaurant, which discharges a high volume of wastewater, would be charged at 95 per cent.
To determine your wastewater charges, we categorise businesses into different industry types, then we use a percentage to calculate how much of your water usage gets charged for wastewater services.
This percentage can be anywhere from five to 95 per cent, depending on what type of business you have.
For example:
- A concrete manufacturer, which typically discharges a low amount of wastewater, would be charged at five per cent.
- A restaurant, which discharges a high volume of wastewater, would be charged at 95 per cent.
Our industry types and percentages Here is a list of our industry types and the applied wastewater percentages for each:
These industry types have a wastewater percentage of 95 per cent:
- General commercial (standard commercial premises, e.g. office)
- Community facility/church
- Abattoir
- Retail shop/cafe/restaurant
- Warehouse/postal/transport
- Sports/recreation facility
- Education and training facility (no irrigated grass fields)
These industry types have a wastewater percentage of 90 per cent:
- Industrial/general manufacturing
- Hospital or medical clinic
These industry types have a wastewater percentage of 85 per cent:
- Pool
- Laundry
- Food manufacturing
These industry types have a wastewater percentage of 80 per cent:
- School (with irrigated grass fields)
- Beverage manufacturing
- Metal, glass or construction material manufacturing
These industry types have a wastewater percentage of 15 per cent:
- Agriculture
- Concrete manufacturers have a wastewater percentage of 5 per cent.
Note: We reserve the right to review a meter’s industry type and, if it has been misrepresented, assign the correct industry type and backdate any difference in charges.
If you have any questions, call us on (09) 442 2222 and press 2.
Here is a list of our industry types and the applied wastewater percentages for each:
These industry types have a wastewater percentage of 95 per cent:
- General commercial (standard commercial premises, e.g. office)
- Community facility/church
- Abattoir
- Retail shop/cafe/restaurant
- Warehouse/postal/transport
- Sports/recreation facility
- Education and training facility (no irrigated grass fields)
These industry types have a wastewater percentage of 90 per cent:
- Industrial/general manufacturing
- Hospital or medical clinic
These industry types have a wastewater percentage of 85 per cent:
- Pool
- Laundry
- Food manufacturing
These industry types have a wastewater percentage of 80 per cent:
- School (with irrigated grass fields)
- Beverage manufacturing
- Metal, glass or construction material manufacturing
These industry types have a wastewater percentage of 15 per cent:
- Agriculture
- Concrete manufacturers have a wastewater percentage of 5 per cent.
Note: We reserve the right to review a meter’s industry type and, if it has been misrepresented, assign the correct industry type and backdate any difference in charges.
If you have any questions, call us on (09) 442 2222 and press 2.
How do I know my industry type? You can find your industry type on your bill, under ‘Summary’.
Head to How to read my commercial bill for more information.
You can find your industry type on your bill, under ‘Summary’.
Head to How to read my commercial bill for more information.
Wastewater audits
If you believe your actual percentage of wastewater discharge varies from the value on the chart, you can apply for a wastewater audit.
Note that if a variation is found to be less than five per cent from the standard, we may not agree to a change.
We also reserve the right to audit your wastewater percentage. This is done at our cost.
Existing plans and meter reclassification Your water bill shows your account number and the pricing plan you’re on.
If you have an existing site, or have recently purchased an existing business, the plan would have been set up when the business was first established.
If you have a new site, we set up a plan based on the information you gave us when you applied for a water meter.
If you believe the classification for your water meter is incorrect, you can apply to change it using our form:
Your water bill shows your account number and the pricing plan you’re on.
If you have an existing site, or have recently purchased an existing business, the plan would have been set up when the business was first established.
If you have a new site, we set up a plan based on the information you gave us when you applied for a water meter.
If you believe the classification for your water meter is incorrect, you can apply to change it using our form:
Changing a business plan New customers
You can change your plan within 15 days of receiving your first water bill or contact us to discuss your account.
Existing customers
If you believe there are special circumstances that warrant a change to your plan, you can switch any time:
In May or June, call us on (09) 442 2222, press 2.
At any other time of the year, please complete our online form.
New customers
You can change your plan within 15 days of receiving your first water bill or contact us to discuss your account.
Existing customers
If you believe there are special circumstances that warrant a change to your plan, you can switch any time:
In May or June, call us on (09) 442 2222, press 2.
At any other time of the year, please complete our online form.
Trade waste charges
Trade waste is charged as wastewater under the business wastewater tariff. However, businesses with trade waste agreements are charged monitoring fees.
Infrastructure Growth Charge (IGC)
If your business grows and you use our services a lot more, you may need to pay an IGC.
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