Mildura residents outraged over ‘astronomically’ high water bills

Residents in north-west Victoria say they have been slapped with “astronomically” high water bills as the company responsible admits its mistake.

Mildura residents say they have been slapped with “astronomically” high water bills as the company admits “some” customers have been incorrectly charged.

One woman, Anna Bruton, said her bill went from about $30 to $1000, while another skyrocketed $152 to $434.

Hundreds have also taken to social media to complain.

Sonia Leersen from Mildura said Lower Murray Water, the company responsible, told her to “check for leaks”.

But LMW, who initially released a statement on social media blaming “hot weather”, has since clarified some customers were charged incorrectly.

Mrs Leersen, who has been diagnosed with auto-immune retinal disease causing her to go blind, said the costs weren’t manageable.

“I was shocked when I opened the bill,” she said.

“We need to plan for the future and we can’t have these huge unexpected bills coming in that can’t be explained.”

Mrs Leersen’s bill for the same quarter last year was $152; this year it was $434.

“I called and they said if I didn’t have any leaks then I must have just used that amount of water, but there is just no way,” she said.

Mildura disability support worker, Paula Heywood, was also shocked when she received her bill of $508, up from $230.

When she posted her frustrations on social media, she received an overwhelming response of nearly 400 comments.

“When I put the post up I wasn’t expecting that many people. I just couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“Some of the people that responded were getting $1000 bills for just two people.”

Mrs Heywood added: “This is the most we have ever received.”

“I honestly don’t know how they came up with that sort of bill.”

Anna Bruton, who doesn’t usually bother looking at her water bill, said she was “always in credit” so when her bill had skyrocketed from $30 to $1000 she was lost for words.

“I rang Murray water as my bill was well over what it usually is. They said they will look into it but I was beyond shocked when I opened it,” she said.

“I don‘t usually read mine but I opened it as we were going away and the kids handed it to me. I was blown away.”

Our customers began receiving their water bills for the January to March quarter last week. The water bill for the...

Posted by Lower Murray Water on Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Lower Murray Water managing director Anthony Couroupis said the company was aware a “small number of customers” had been billed incorrectly.

“Affected customers are being contacted this week and will be issued an amended account for the correct usage. Affected customers are encouraged not to pay their account until they receive an amended account,” he said.

“Steps are being taken to ensure this does not happen again.”

Mr Couroupis added: “LMW have not increased water charges, rather prices have decreased since the same time last year in accordance with LMW’s 2018-2023 price path.”