Victorians water bills to drop by up to $47 a year

Victorians are set to save up to $47 a year on their water bills but how much extra cash you’ll pocket depends on where you live. See the list.

Cheaper water is in the pipeline for Melbourne homes. Picture: Supplied

Households are set to save up to $47 a year off their water bills.

Residents in Melbourne’s west are the biggest winners and bills will also fall across regional Victoria by an average $7.

The changes from July 1, announced by the Essential Services Commission, mean an average drop of $33 for metropolitan Melbourne homes.

Residents in the Greater Western Water area, previously City West Water, should see average bills drop from $976 to $929 a year.

Yarra Valley Water customers’ bills are expected to fall by an average $36 a year and by $17 in the South East Water region. The metropolitan estimates are based on average annual consumption of 150 kilolitres.

ESC pricing director Marcus Crudden said the fall in bill totals would be welcome news for many across the state.

Lower borrowing costs for retailers and the commission’s price decision for wholesaler Melbourne Water, had contributed to the drop in bills, he said.

“The wholesale water and sewerage services provided by Melbourne Water make up about 60 per cent of household water bills in metropolitan Melbourne,’’ Mr Crudden said.

“Our decision released last week generally reduced Melbourne Water’s prices, while allowing it to continue to invest in key services.”

Consumer Action Law Centre chief executive Gerard Brody said the announcement showed that price regulation of monopoly businesses was working.

“It’s really good to see prices going down,’’ Mr Brody said.

The biggest savers in regional Victoria are customers of Ballarat-based Central Highlands Water who should $24 less this year, while Goulburn Valley Water customers should save an annual average $21.

South Gippsland Water, based in Foster, is one of the few companies to charge their consumers more, up by an average $28 a year.

Mr Crudden also said that the water sector had responded to the community’s economic challenges, by increasing support to customers facing financial problems.

“Additional price relief from July 1 will support the work water businesses have been doing for those seeking help.”