Water bills across the nation are on the rise, and it doesn’t matter whether you live in a metro area or a regional area. We take this water for granted — it's always there. But when the bill comes, most of us are not excited to pay it. Let’s look at why it costs so much, and what we can do to help lower the bill.

Components That Make Up the Water Bill

Water bills in South Australia are split into two separate parts. The first is the fixed cost that is simply the charge for having water supplied to your home. It’s currently set at $271.40 per year, and is split into quarterly charges on your bill.

The second is the tiered pricing based on your personal household water consumption. There are three separate tiers, with the price going up as your usage reaches into the second and third tiers. Each household is allotted a daily threshold. When you stay within that threshold, your water rates remain lower, in the first tier pricing. The daily usage is averaged over the course of the quarter.

Average Water Cost in South Australia

According to one 2020 survey, the average water bill in South Australia is $324 per quarter. Thanks to state-wide pricing guidelines, you pay the same per kilolitre as any other customer in your state. As it is based on kilolitre used, the amount of your bill is directly related to the amount of water that runs through your tap. The bill is also impacted by seasonal water usage, leaks in your pipes, the water habits of your family, and your appliances.

Reducing Your Water Bill

There are many things that people can do to reduce their water bills. Most of these involve conserving water, so they are also good for the environment.

Gardening and plants. Water plants at dawn or dusk to stop evaporation. Make sure you water the roots and soil. That is where the plant needs the water.

Catch rainwater. By catching and reusing rainwater to water your plants and garden, you can cut water use by up to 33 per cent. Your plants will also like the break from treated tap water.

Showers. Take short showers, and look at installing a water-saving showerhead. These showerheads cut your water usage by at least half.

Fill it up. Only run a full load in your dishwasher or washing machine. Each load you wash uses 94-132 L of water.

Turn off the tap. When brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the tap, and then turn it back on to rinse or wash to save litres of water each time.

These are just a few of the simple steps that your family can take to reduce the water consumption in your home. Many families in South Australia continue to see their water bills rise. The best way to stop the bill from this continuous rise is to take matters into your own hands.