Understanding your service charges
Service charges are different from the water use charges. Your service charges are an annual charge spread over the year. Service charges can be made up of water, sewerage and drainage, depending on the services to your property.
From 1 July 2023, a 2.5% increase will apply to water, sewerage and drainage service charges.
In line with the Gross Rental Value (GRV) revaluation, some households will see a maximum increase of 12.5% on sewerage and a limitation of $25 on metro draining service charges. Some metro businesses will see a maximum increase of 12.5% on their drainage charges.
- Service charges include three charges for the service of water, sewerage and drainage.
- Service charges are annual charges divided across your bills for the year.
- You are only charged for services available to your property.
Service charges help cover the cost of:
- Providing clean and safe drinking water in Western Australia
- Taking away wastewater and disposing of it in a socially- and environmentally-friendly way
- Removing stormwater through our drainage services
Depending on the services available to your property, service charges can be made up of water, sewerage and drainage charges. Check the back of your bill to see which service charges apply to you.
Business customers: visit our business bill & charges page to learn about your service charges.
Service charges are separate from your water use charge. They are an annual charge, with the cost divided across your bills for the year. The amount you pay on each bill depends on the number of days within that billing period.
Billing periods
- 1 July to 31 August: 62 days
- 1 September to 31 October: 61 days
- 1 November to 31 December: 61 days
- 1 January to 28 February: 59 days (60 if leap year)
- 1 March to 30 April: 61 days
- 1 May to 30 June: 61 days
Water service charge
This is a fixed charge which contributes to the supply of clean drinking water through our water pipe network, which includes securing and maintaining water sources.
How is the water service charge calculated?
Properties in both metro and regional areas have a standard fixed charge for water service. It is a state-wide charge that also applies to vacant land properties. This charge is only payable where a Water Corporation water service is available to your property.
The water service charge is $282.59 for the 2023-24 financial year and is uniform throughout the State.
Financial year explained: A financial year begins on 1 July and ends on 30 June each year.
Sewerage service charge
This is an annual charge that covers the cost of safely removing, treating and discharging the water that your household uses, including your kitchen, laundry, bathroom and toilet (wastewater). It also covers the cost of maintaining the pipe network that transports wastewater.
How is the sewerage charge calculated?
Sewerage charges are based on the property's Gross Rental Value (GRV) multiplied by a rate in the dollar. The rate in the dollar changes as the GRV increases.
Sewerage charge in the metro area is calculated by:
GRV x rate in the dollar
First $20,000 of GRV is 4.351 cents in $ GRV
Over $20,000 of GRV is 3.772 cents in $ GRV
The minimum annual charge for sewerage is $469.40 for the 2023-24 financial year for properties with a low GRV.
For example, a property with a GRV of $10,000 would have a sewerage charge of:
$10,000 x $0.04351 = $435.10
A property with a GRV of $24,000 would have a sewerage charge of:
($20,000 x $0.04351) + ($4,000 x $0.03772) = $1,021.08
Drainage service charge
This charge helps cover the cost of removing excess storm water where additional drainage is required.
Water Corporation main drains exist in addition to Local Government Authority infrastructure. They are there to provide extra support in preventing flooding and removing excess storm water.
How is the drainage charge calculated?
Residential drainage charges are based on the property’s gross rental value (GRV). Only properties in declared drainage catchments are charged for drainage.
Your drainage charge is calculated by:
GRV x rate in the dollar ($0.00574 per dollar for residential properties)
The minimum annual charge for drainage is $132.34, for the 2023-24 financial year.
For example, a property with a rateable value of $25,000 would have a drainage service charge of:
$25,000 x $0.00574 = $143.50
Limitations on service charges
We have a limitation system in place to ensure customers avoid sudden increases to service charges where circumstances at your property have changed. This usually happens when a property has been revalued as part of a general revaluation year. A limitation of 10% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) applies to GRV related increases for residential wastewater, and a limitation of $25 applies to GRV related increases* for residential drainage. You can see whether your account has been capped on the back of your bill.
*The limitation does not apply to properties where their GRV has increased due to an improvement in the property, such as the addition of a pool or renovations. In these instances the full cost is billed.
Sewerage service charge
This is an annual charge that covers the cost of safely removing, treating and discharging the water that your household uses, including your kitchen, laundry, bathroom and toilet (wastewater). It also covers the cost of maintaining the pipe network that transports wastewater.
How is the sewerage charge calculated?
Sewerage charges for regional areas are based on the property's Gross Rental Value (GRV) multiplied by a rate in the dollar. Each town has a different rate in the dollar as the cost of providing sewerage services to country locations varies.
You can find the sewerage charge that applies to you on the back of your bill. The minimum annual sewerage charge is $469.40 and the maximum charge is $1,281.51 for the for the 2023-24 financial year.
Drainage service charge
Regional properties do not get charged for drainage.
Limitations on service charges
We have a limitation system in place to ensure customers avoid sudden increases to service charges where circumstances at your property have changed. This usually happens when a property has been revalued as part of a general revaluation year. A limitation of 10% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) applies to GRV related increases for residential wastewater, and a limitation of $25 applies to GRV related increases* for residential drainage. You can see whether your account has been capped on the back of your bill.
*The limitation does not apply to properties where their GRV has increased due to an improvement in the property, such as the addition of a pool or renovations. In these instances the full cost is billed.
Business bills are generally made up of the following charges. On this page, you will learn about your service charges.
- Water use charge
- Sewer volume charges
- Service Charges
The breakdown of the charges that apply to you can be found on the back of your bill.
Business service charges
Your total annual service charges are divided into 6 billing periods within the financial year. We calculate the service charge component based on the number of days in each billing period.
Billing periods
- 1 July to 31 August: 62 days
- 1 September to 31 October: 61 days
- 1 November to 31 December: 61 days
- 1 January to 28 February: 59 days (60 if leap year)
- 1 March to 30 April: 61 days
- 1 May to 30 June: 61 days
Service charges breakdown
Below you will find the breakdown of how service charges are divided and more information on the available services.
Water service charges
For business properties in metro and regional areas, water service charges are based on the size and number of water meters servicing the property.
If your property is unmetered or not connected, a minimum annual water service charge of $300.29 applies (including fire services).
Water meter charges
| Meter size | Charge 2023-24 |
|---|---|
| Up to 20mm | $300.29 |
| 25mm | $469.25 |
| 30mm | $675.66 |
| Up to 40mm | $1,201.25 |
| 50mm | $1,876.92 |
| 70, 75, 80mm | $4,804.93 |
| 100mm | $7,507.69 |
| Up to 150mm | $16,892.31 |
| 200mm (metro only) | $30,030.76 |
| 250mm (metro only) | $46,923.07 |
| 300mm (metro only) | $67,569.23 |
| 350mm (metro only) | $91,969.27 |
Metro and regional strata titled storage units and bays
- The water service charge is $105.70 per strata titled parking bay or strata titled storage unit.
- The water service charge is $204.40 per strata titled or long-term residential caravan bay.
Sewerage service charges
Your sewerage service charges are based on the number of major sewerage fixtures such as toilets, urinals or pan washer.
The number of fixtures at the property is listed on your bill. If the number of fixtures changes or differs from what is shown on your bills, please contact us at rating.services@watercorporation.com.au.
Fixtures charges
| Fixtures | Charge 2023-24 |
|---|---|
| 1st fixture | $1,127.19 |
| 2nd fixture | $482.50 |
| 3rd fixture | $644.37 |
| 4th and over | $700.71 |
A minimum sewerage charge always applies. The charge is equivalent to 1 major fixtured as listed in the table above.
Strata lots sharing major fixtures
Major fixtures in a common area and shared by strata lots on the same floor are charged at a different rate.
We divide the number of major fixtures in the common area by the number of strata lots on the same floor and round down. If the result is less than 1, the tariff is $700.71 for each strata lot.
For example, if there are 5 strata lots sharing 8 major fixtures, we divide the 8 fixtures by the 5 lots
5 fixtures divided by 8 lots = 1.6 fixtures.
We would round this down to 1, so the tariff for each strata lot would be $1,127.19.
Charges for strata lots with dedicated fixtures are based on fixture charges listed in the table above.
Metro and regional strata titled storage units and bays
- The sewer service charge is $111.71 per strata titled parking bay or strata titled storage unit.
- The sewer service charge is $360.45 per strata titled or long-term residential caravan bay.
Commercial nursing homes
- The sewerage service charge is $203.96 per bed.
Drainage service charges
Drainage charges are based on your property’s Gross Rental Value (GRV), or rateable value, supplied by the Valuer General and only apply to businesses in the Declared Drainage Area in the metro area. The charge is calculated by multiplying a rate (cents in the dollar) by the rateable value.
The drainage charge is 0.370 cents for each dollar of the rateable value.
For example, a property with a rateable value of $60,000 would have a drainage service charge of $60,000 x $0.00370 = $222.00
Annual increases in business drainage service charges are capped at 10% plus CPI. The minimum drainage charge for metro business properties is $133.30
Metro strata titled storage units and bays
- The drainage service charge is $15.41 per strata titled parking bay or strata titled storage unit.
- The drainage service charge is $40.02 per strata titled caravan bay.
Pay your service charges in full
You can select to pay your service charges in full for the current financial year in your online account.
If you pay your service charges in full, you'll be billed the outstanding service charges balance for the current financial. We'll then continue to issue a service charges bill at the start of each financial year, including the service charges for that year.
paying your service charges in full
Some businesses may be eligible for a discount on their service charges. Learn more about discounts for businesses.
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