We understand that your water bill can sometimes be confusing, especially with rising costs. That’s why we’ve broken things down to help you understand exactly what you’re paying for and how you might be able to save money.
What makes up your water bill?
Your water bill consists of three main components.
Clean water charges: Affinity Water only supplies clean water; we’re committed to supplying the highest-quality drinking water to our customers and communities.
Wastewater (sewerage) charges: For some customers, we also bill on behalf of a wastewater company, so you’ll only receive a single bill covering all your water services. Wastewater is any water that’s been flushed down the toilet or drained down a plug hole.
Fixed charges: All customers pay the fixed charge in advance as a contribution to maintenance and other costs and services. The period covered by the fixed charge is specified on your bill and may mean that some of the charge is paid in arrears and some in advance.
Metered vs. non-metered billing
The way we bill you depends on whether you have a meter or not. You can check your billing type at the top of your bill or by logging into your My Account.
Metered customers
If you have a water meter, we normally read it twice a year, and your bill is based on the amount of water used.
How to reduce your bill
Using less water can lower your costs. Simple changes like reducing your water waste and using efficient appliances can significantly reduce your bill. We also provide free professional leak checks and free water-saving devices to help reduce your usage. Take our short quiz to determine which device suits your needs.
Non-metered customer
If you don't have a meter, you receive one fixed bill per year. This is usually based on your home's Rateable Value (RV), which is an assessment conducted by your local council to determine your property's annual rental value as of 1994. Unfortunately, we cannot change this value.
Would switching to a meter save you money?
Many customers find that moving to a meter reduces their costs, particularly if they use less water or live alone. If we can’t install a meter, we’ll bill you on assessed charges, which estimate your usage based on the number of people in your household.
Benefits of having a meter
In addition to potentially lowering your bill, having a meter helps detect leaks early, reducing water waste and avoiding unexpected high charges. If you’re interested in exploring this option, find out more and apply today.
Understanding Estimated Reads
If we can’t read your meter, we estimate your water usage. However, you can submit your meter reading anytime through your My Account.
We recommend taking your own readings a few times a year. This is to check for leaks and to make sure we're not overcharging you. You can easily submit a meter reading by logging in to My Account.
Your water charges explained
On your metered water bill, you may notice different styles or bar charts depending on your meter type and the readings we have received. Here’s how to understand the key sections:
• Starting read – This is the meter reading at the billing period’s start. It could be your last recorded reading or your opening read if you’ve recently moved in. The bill will indicate if this is an actual read or an estimate. If we can’t obtain a reading, we estimate your usage based on historical data.
• End reading – This is the reading at the end of the billing period, and you’re billed up to this point. Like the starting read, it will specify whether it’s an actual read or an estimate. If a reading isn’t possible, we’ll estimate your usage.
• Usage calculation – This shows the amount of water you’ve used, calculated in litres and multiplied by the unit cost per cubic litre (1,000 litres). If the rate changed during the billing period, you might see two separate calculations on your bill.
Understanding these sections can help you track water usage more effectively and identify discrepancies. For more details on your bill, visit My Account or contact us directly.
Why is my bill so high?
Your bill may be higher than usual because you’ve used more water. There are plenty of reasons why your water usage might suddenly increase. This may happen if more people live at your property or you use more water due to hotter weather or while undertaking renovations. If this doesn’t explain your high water usage, you may have a leak or another issue you're unaware of. Please complete a leak check.
We’re here to help
We’re here to support you through life’s challenges. We offer LIFT (Low Income Fixed Tariff) – to support low-income households by significantly reducing their water bills. Our team can guide you through the process and explore other ways we can support you. For further information you can read our blog on ‘Priority Services and Help to Pay Schemes’.
How to Apply for a Water Meter
Applying is simple:
✅ Check the ‘Request a water meter’ page on our website
✅ Book an appointment for installation
✅ Once installed, you’ll switch to metered charges straight away
👉 Apply online today