Brace for higher utility bills as heatwave drives up demand for water and electricity

THERE will be welcome cool relief on Saturday evening after a record December heatwave. But householders have been warned about the price they may have to pay for this extreme weather.

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HOUSEHOLDERS have been warned to brace for higher utility bills as the heatwave drives up demand for water and electricity.

Water consumption this week jumped 80 per cent as gardeners battled the blazing weather, while daily power use surged by up to 60 per cent above the average daily use. More hot, dry conditions are predicted as a result of the El Niño effect.

The South Australian Council of Social Service is urging householders to budget for higher utility bills which could coincide with higher credit card payments due to extra purchases during Christmas.

“People have to prepare for higher electricity and water bills,’’ SACOSS executive director Ross Womersley said.

“We certainly encourage people to use their air conditioners for the sake of their health but they should put some money aside for extra large bills.’’

Mr Womersley said January and February were already “crunch time’’ for many householders because “many use credit cards to purchase Christmas presents’’.

“And when you have high need for electricity and water you get an even bigger crunch time,’’ he said.

SA Water figures show consumption in Adelaide hit 780ML on Thursday — 80 per cent above the 435 daily average for December.

Householders have been warned to brace for higher utility bills as the heatwave drives up demand for water and electricity.

The extra 345ML of water used during that 24-hour period was enough to fill more than 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Below-average rainfall has already led to Adelaide’s water use in October and November jumping by almost 12 per cent above the average, according to SA Water.

The water utility is urging customers to adhere to watering restrictions which limit sprinkler use to the hours between 5pm and 10am.

“If someone is caught in direct breach of the Water Wise Measures, they can receive an expiation notice for $375,’’ an SA Water spokeswoman said.

SA’s electricity consumption has also soared because of the heat, rising to more than 56,000MWh on Thursday compared to the 35,000MWh average in December last year, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator.

Its records show electricity demand peaks at 7pm when many people arrive home and switch on the air-conditioning.

The State Emergency Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning because the hot conditions pose a risk to public safety.

The Department for Communities and the Red Cross have also activated the Telecross REDi service, which helps isolated and vulnerable people during extreme heat events.

People registered with the service receive calls from trained volunteers to check their wellbeing

during heatwaves.