Water Consumption Charges

Gosford City Council will read your water meter twice per year. An account will be issued after each reading and all consumption will be charged at $1.67 per kilolitre from 1 July 2008.

Water Saving Contribution Levy

As from 1 July 2008 an additional charge will appear on water accounts. This charge is the State Government Climate Change Fund introduced by the NSW Government to encourage water saving and to reduce demand for water across the state.

Pension Reduction

Pension reductions will be extended to water consumption charges to the value of 50% of the charge. Most residential properties are connected to a 20mm meter. The maximum rebate is $43.26 from 1 July 2008. The rebate will vary for larger services.

All normal eligibility criteria for pensioner rate reductions will apply to water consumption charge concessions.

To be eligible for a pension rebate on the water consumption account, the owner must be residing at the property for the full period of the reading cycle.

Pension Reduction Calculation

An example of the pension rebate calculation is provided below:

I am a new owner, I did not own the property for the full period of this water account.

All accounts issued by Council after settlement are payable by the current owner. Any enquires regarding the account should be directed to your conveyancer.

Prior to settlement of a property a conveyancer can either request Council to read and bill for water consumption or make an allowance based on previous average daily consumption.

Shared Meters

Where there are Strata Title properties sharing a common meter(s), the water consumption will be divided equally and a consumption account issued to each owner.

Any meters which were not installed by council but installed by the property owner(s) or developer(s) to monitor their individual consumption (flow meters) will not be read by Council.

Council's Woy Woy or Erina depots may be contacted to obtain a quote for the installation of separate meters for individual strata units.

Facts about Water Consumption

When enquiring about an account or usage most customers view their water consumption habits in terms of activities such as:

• Watering the garden.
• Maintaining a swimming pool.
• Using appliances such as automatic washing machines or dishwashers.

Most water is consumed inside the home by normal daily activities such as washing, cleaning, cooking and bathing.
It is important to consider for example, that four people in a household each using 140 litres of water per shower, would consume 204,400 litres (140 x 4 x 365 days) of water in a year.
Where the same four people were to use as little as 40 litres of water per shower, the resulting consumption would equate to 58,400 litres (40 x 4 x 365 days).

No adjustment will be made to accounts because of leaking or broken pipes or taps.

The condition of water pipes on a property is the responsibility of owners. An increase in the water consumption account could be the result of leaking pipes, taps and cisterns. If you think that this may be the case, check the reading of you water meter, look for any signs of water seeping throughout your property grounds check for dripping taps/cisterns or take readings of your meter before leaving your home and upon return.

Contact a licensed plumber for repairs to be carried out.

Learn how to read your water meter and check it regularly, the results may surprise you. Download our tips for reading your water meter (MSWord File, 23.5kb) to find out more.

Tips on minimising water consumption

It's easy to use less water if you think about it!

• Install and use dual flush toilets.
• Don't wash or clean teeth with the tap running.
• Sweep pathways rather than hosing them.
• Turn off dripping taps, a dripping tap can use 100 litres of water a day.
• Install aerators or flow regulstors on your taps.
• Check toilets for leaks - leaking toilets can use.
• Only use a washing machine with a full load.

Your Responsibility to Us

In accordance with Water Management Act 2000, it is requested that a space of a least 300mm around and below the meter and 1200mm above the meter be cleared to provide reasonable access to the water meter for the purposes of reading and/or maintenance.

The water meter must be clear of shrubs/trees, hazardous plants, soil and other obstructions. Should your water meter be behind a locked gate or a dog is within it's proximity, please contact Council to make access arrangements.

Please notify Council in writing of any change of address for service of water consumption accounts.

Paying your water account

Your water consumption account is payable on or before the due date shown on the account. Payment may be made to Council under any of the payment options.

Will I be charged interest on late payment?

Yes, if you do not pay your account by the due date, you will be charged interest. The current interest rate imposed by Gosford City Council on overdue balances is 10.00% per annum. An arrears balance shown on an account is payable immediately and interest will continue to accure on the outstanding balance until full payment is received.

Interest is calculated daily on the overdue balance. Before paying an overdue account please check with Council for the correct amount payable.

Having difficulty making your payment by the due date?

If you are have difficulty in paying either your water account or rates instalment by the required due date contact Council's Debt Recovery section on telephone number 4325 8249 or 4325 8380 to discuss an arrangement option to pay off the debt.

Regular payments reduce the debt and interest charges whereas no payments and interest charges increase the debt and may lead to legal recovery action and added costs.

Before paying an overdue account, please check with Council for the correct amount payable.

Penalty for Non Payment of a Water Account

In the absence of a suitable arrangement for payment of an overdue account, Council may restrict your water supply and commence legal action for the recovery of the debt.

Where such action has become necessary, the Council will seek to recover legal expenses and impose additional re-connection costs.

Customers should be assured that such action is generally a last resort, and that Council will at all times work with their customers to resolve any disputes.

Offences under Section 43 of the Water Management Act, 2000

Severe penalties exist for the following offences:

• Removal of a Council water meter.
• Altering the index of a water meter.
• Preventing a meter from registering the quantity supplied.
• Interfering with or wilfully damaging any works or structures that belongs to, or is under the control of the Council.

Penalties are currently up to $20,000 for corporations and $10,000 in any other case.

Further information about Council's Water & Sewerage are available through our website or http://www.gwcwater.nsw.gov.au

Feedback on our Rates and Charges Information

We welcome any feedback and suggestions regarding information on this page. Please send your feedback and suggestions by email to the Rates Supervisor.