Desalination & Reuse Handbook - Flipbook - Page 21
THE YEAR IN SCARCITY
Tariffs
As NSW continues to experience severe drought, Hunter
Water’s water prices have remained competitive on a
national level. Long-term planning has enabled the Hunter
Valley to avoid harsh water restrictions and the regional
utility has maintained relatively low tariffs, ranking 10th
out of Australia’s 14 major water utilities in 2016–2017. Its
typical annual bill of AUD1,056 ($763) is just two thirds of
typical annual bill in Perth.
Wastewater cost $0.77/m3
Water cost:
$2.65/m3
Total combined bill: $3.43/m3
Source: Global Water Leaders Group
Open tap restrictions
From 1st July 2014, Hunter Water introduced Everyday Water Wise Rules – water use guidelines with variable restrictions,
triggered when local water storage levels reach certain thresholds. At their least restrictive, these are estimated to save 2.5%/
yr across combined residential and commercial users. Even as southeastern Australia experiences severe and prolonged
drought, Hunter’s water storage facilities have so far remained well above the point that would trigger more severe drought
restrictions. Prior to their introduction in Hunter, similar rules were already enforced in many regions of Australia, including
Sydney and the Central Coast.
Level
Regional water
reserve level (%)
Measures
Expected
demand savings
% (Residential,
Business)
All hand-held hoses must have a trigger nozzle
Permanent
Water
Wise
Rules
Restricted hours for garden watering for businesses
100
Hosepipe ban on paths and driveways
Vehicles to be washed with a bucket, trigger nozzle hose or
pressure cleaner
2.5%
(1 million m3/yr
across residential
& businesses)
Partial sprinkler ban
Restricted hours and days for garden watering for businesses
1
60
Existing pools can only be topped up using a hose with a
trigger nozzle
4%
6%
High use customers (>50,000 m3/yr) to implement a Water
Efficiency Management Plan (WEMP)
Efficiency standards required for open space irrigation
Further restriction on days for garden watering for businesses
Drought
2
50
Vehicles to be washed and pools maintained with buckets
9%
7%
Customers using >10,000 m3/yr of water to implement a
WEMP
3
4
40
