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How commercial charges work
Understand how we charge for water and wastewater services.
Your monthly charges
Every month, you’ll receive a bill for the water and wastewater services you received. Depending on your business, you may also receive separate bills from time to time for trade waste, backflow or infrastructure growth charges.
Water charges
We charge you per kilolitre (1kL equals 1,000 litres) of water used, which is measured via your water meter.
Wastewater charges
There are four wastewater pricing plans based on the volume of wastewater being discharged into the network. Your bill shows the plan you’re on, which was carried over from the previous property owner. As a new customer, you can change your plan within 15 days of receiving your first bill. The plans are:
- Low user plan: Less than 1,309kL
- Moderate user plan: 1,309kL to 10,193kL
- High user plan: 10,193kL to 85,705kL
- Industry plan: 85,705kL or more
Each wastewater plan has two types of charges
Each wastewater plan has two types of charges
Fixed chargeThis charge covers the cost of maintaining the public wastewater network. It applies regardless of whether your property is occupied. We spread the charge across the year. You can see the number of days for the billing period on your bill.
If you do not have a water meter and receive wastewater services only, you will pay a notional fixed charge.
This charge covers the cost of maintaining the public wastewater network. It applies regardless of whether your property is occupied. We spread the charge across the year. You can see the number of days for the billing period on your bill.
If you do not have a water meter and receive wastewater services only, you will pay a notional fixed charge.
Volumetric chargeThis charge covers the cost of collecting and treating your wastewater. It is based on the volume of wastewater discharged, as determined by your industry type.
For example, if you have a standard commercial premise – such as an office – we will apply wastewater charges based on 95% of the volume of water supplied. This assumes 5% does not go down the drain (may be used for drinking or light irrigation).
This charge covers the cost of collecting and treating your wastewater. It is based on the volume of wastewater discharged, as determined by your industry type.
For example, if you have a standard commercial premise – such as an office – we will apply wastewater charges based on 95% of the volume of water supplied. This assumes 5% does not go down the drain (may be used for drinking or light irrigation).
Wastewater audits
A wastewater audit works out the percentage of your water that goes into our wastewater network. The aim is to ensure you are paying the right amount for wastewater services.
Other helpful information
Other helpful information
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.
Existing plans and meter reclassificationYour 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 planNew 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.
View previous water and wastewater charges