Change your water billing
Utilities
Water Opt-in
Did you know that you can choose how you're billed for your water? During the Water Opt-in period, you can decide which water plan works best for your household.
“The Water Opt-in period is available for 4 weeks of the year, and in 2022 it was open from 1 - 28 August.”
Water Billing Options
There are two water billing options to choose from: the Standard plan and the Water Watchers Plan.
Standard Plan (fixed allocation)
You will be allocated 772kL of water for $899 per year. This is split in two equal parts and charged over two rates notices each financial year. This is $449.50 for six months. If you use more than the allocated 772kL, you will be charged $3.44 per kilolitre as an excess water charge.
Water Watchers Plan (two-part tariff)
You will be charged a service connection fee of $411 per year. This is split into two equal parts and over two rates notices. This is $205.50 for six months.
Your actual water use on the Water Watchers Plan is billed at a lower rate - $1.65 for every kilolitre of water you use.
Note: The charge for a vacant land service changes from $395.00 per year to $411.00.
Which plan should I be on?
If your water use is low (under 297 kilolitres), you will benefit from being on the Water Watchers Plan. Are you a water watcher or waster? Regularly checking your water meter will help you work out how much water your household uses.
Check Your Water Meter Day is held on the 14th day of every month. Keep an eye on your water use by using our simple water monitoring chart and tips for saving water at home.
How do I change my water plan?
You can change your water billing plan online or visit our Customer Service Centre at 103 Walker Street, Townsville City during the annual opt-in period.
Remember, you will need a copy of your last rates notice in order for us to help you with changing your water billing option.
Exceptions to the water opt-in period
If you purchase a new property outside of the Water Opt-in period, you will have four weeks from the date of receipt of invitation to change to submit your request to change water billing options. Any change will be effective from the first meter read after the date of transfer.
New residential purchases can opt-in here.
For more information see our Common Water Questions page.