Understanding your water use charges
Your water use charges are based on how much water you use in your home or business. Learn how we calculate your water use charges.
From 1 July 2023, a 2.5% increase will apply to business water use charges.
Business bills are generally made up of the following charges. On this page, you will learn about your water use 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 water use charges
Every 2 months, we take a meter reading to find out how much water you've used. Your water use since your last meter read can be found on the back of your bill under 'Water use charges.'
For large commercial businesses, we may take monthly meter readings.
Metro
Metro business customers are charged a flat fee per kilolitre.
| Metro business | Price per kL of water used 2023-24 |
|---|---|
| All water use | $2.780/kL |
Businesses with a residential space
The first 150 kilolitres of water used during a bill year are charged at the residential price of $1.953 per kilolitre.
Usage over 150 kilolitres is charged at the non-residential pricing listed above.
The bill year begins with your first-meter reading, from January to June.
Please note: updates to charges are applied at the start of each financial year.
Regional
Each regional town is classified into 1 of 15 steps, with 15 being the highest.
You can find the charges that apply to you on the back of your bill under ‘Water use charges’.
You can also view this year’s regional business step classifications below. To find out what step applies to you, download our towns and regional areas step classifications (PDF).
Regional water use steps and charges
| Steps | Dollars/kL |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2.867 |
| 2 | $3.124 |
| 3 | $3.398 |
| 4 | $3.702 |
| 5 | $4.032 |
| 6 | $4.389 |
| 7 | $4.782 |
| 8 | $5.206 |
| 9 | $5.669 |
| 10 | $6.174 |
| 11 | $6.721 |
| 12 | $7.320 |
| 13 | $7.971 |
| 14 | $8.682 |
| 15 | $9.451 |
Some regional organisations may be eligible for a discount on their water use charges. Learn more about discounts for businesses.
Regional businesses with a residential space
The first 150 kilolitres of water used during a bill year are charged at the residential price of $1.953 per kilolitre.
Usage over 150 kilolitres is charged at the non-residential pricing listed above.
The bill year begins with your first-meter reading from September to October.
Please note: new financial year charges are applied at the start of each financial year.
Denham business customers
Water use charges
We operate a saline water service and a desalinated water service in Denham. Saline water is for outdoor use only.
Denham customers receive a combined bill for water use and service charges every 2 months. Charges for water use from each water source are separated on the bill and clearly show the amount used and charges applicable for each source.
Saline water use charges
Saline water use is charged at the normal country business water use rate (step 5) detailed above.
Desalinated water use charges
Each property is allowed a quota of 108 kilolitres per year, charged at a set rate. If more than the quota is used, the rate increase. Please see below for details.
| Desalinated water use charges | |
|---|---|
| Water use | Price per kilolitre |
| Up to or equal to 108kL | $0.739 |
| Over 108kL | $16.925 |
Coral Bay
Coral Bay desalinated water use is charged at $8.031 per kilolitre.
The Coral Bay Water Scheme commenced operating in 2008 and was designed to support the local tourism industry.
The charge reflects the service's cost and encourages customers to save water and maintain their secondary outdoor water supplies. Desalinated water is not for external use.
Farm and stock customers
Farms and properties used for stock are charged $2.867 per kilolitre of water used.
- We use a tiered pricing system to encourage the careful use of water
- The more water your use within a year, the higher the price per kilolitre
- Your account will reset to the lowest tier annually
The water you use in your home and garden make up your water use charges.
We take a meter reading every 2 months to find out how much water you have used. You can find your water use since your last meter read on the back of your bill.
The front of your bill shows your current tier based on your total water use this bill year so far.
Business customers: visit our business bill & charges page to learn about your water use charges.
How are water use charges calculated?
We have a tiered pricing system to encourage the careful use of water. The more water you use, the higher the price per kilolitre. Water use is measured and billed in kilolitres (kL).
Water use charge = Water use in kL for the period x current tier pricing
Water use charges vary depending where you live. Charges also work differently for properties that share a water meter, such as a unit complex.
Water use pricing tiers
Your account starts in tier 1 (the lowest tier) at the beginning of your bill year. If you have jumped to tier 2 or 3 within your bill year, you will revert to tier 1 when your new bill year starts.
Check the front of your bill under 'Water use pricing' to see your current tier and when your bill year ends.
If you’ve recently moved into a property, your agent will need to request a special meter read. This is so you can get part of the two lowest tiers' pricing until your bill year starts again, or until you move into the highest tier.
Perth metro water use pricing 2023 - 2024
| Usage (kL)/year | Price per kL for meter readings |
|---|---|
| Tier 1: 0 - 150 kL | $1.953/kL |
| Tier 2: 151 - 500 kL | $2.602/kL |
| Tier 3: over 500 kL | $4.868/kL |
If you live in Brighton Estate, additional charges apply.
Please note: For the bill you receive in July or August, your water use charges will be priced at the previous financial year's tier prices. Prices are updated for each financial year. The financial year begins 1 July and ends 30 June each year.
How are water use charges calculated?
We have a tiered pricing system to encourage the careful use of water. It varies depending on your town's class and location.
The more water you use, the higher the price per kilolitre. Water use is measured and billed in kilolitres (kL).
Water use charge = Water use in kL for the period x current tier pricing
Water use charges vary depending on where you live. Charges also work differently for properties that share a water meter, such as a unit complex.
Water use pricing tiers
Your account starts in tier 1 (the lowest tier) at the beginning of your bill year. If you have jumped to tier 2 or 3 within your bill year, you will revert to tier 1 when your new bill year starts.
Check the front of your bill under 'Water use pricing' to see your current tier and when your bill year ends.
If you’ve recently moved into a property, your agent will need to request a special meter read. This is so you can get part of the two lowest tiers' pricing until your bill year starts again, or until you move into the highest tier.
South regional residential water use pricing 2023 - 2024
| Usage (kL)/year | Class 1 $/kL | Class 2 $/kL | Class 3 $/kL | Class 4 $/kL | Class 5 $/kL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: 0 - 150 kL | $1.490 | $1.953 | $1.953 | $1.953 | $1.953 |
| Tier 2: 151 - 300 kL | $1.984 | $2.602 | $2.602 | $2.602 | $2.602 |
| Tier 3: 301 - 550 kL | $2.278 | $3.134 | $4.175 | $4.909 | $5.775 |
| Over 550 kL | $2.660 | $3.998 |
$5.323 | $7.363 | $9.930 |
View south regional town classes.
North regional residential water use pricing 2023 - 2024
| Usage (kL)/year | Class 1 $/kL | Class 2 $/kL | Class 3 $/kL | Class 4 $/kL | Class 5 $/kL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: 0 - 350 kL | $1.490 | $1.953 | $1.953 | $1.953 | $1.953 |
| Tier 2: 351 - 500 kL | $1.984 | $2.602 | $2.602 | $2.602 | $2.602 |
| Tier 3: 501 - 750 kL | $2.278 | $3.134 | $4.175 | $4.909 | $5.775 |
| Over 750 kL | $2.660 | $3.998 |
$5.323 | $7.363 | $9.930 |
View north regional town classes.
If you live in Denham, additional charges apply.
Please note: For the bill you receive in July or August, your water use charges will be priced at the previous financial year's tier prices. Water use tier prices are updated for each financial year. The financial year begins 1 July and ends 30 June each year.
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