About your water bill

Your water bill = access charge + usage charge

Usage Charges

PMHC uses a tariff charging system and water consumption is based off the following tariffs:

• Tier 1: A lower rate applies up to a set usage threshold
• Tier 2: A higher rate (double Tier 1) applies to usage beyond that threshold

The current financial year's charges are:

• Tier 1 = $4.14 per kilolitre*
• Tier 2 = $8.29 per kilolitre*

*1 kilolitre = 1000 litres

Different fees apply for recycled water charges and domestic dual reticulation. For a complete breakdown of the water supply tariffs, check our Fees and Charges.

These charges are reviewed and set annually under the Local Government Act 1993 and published on the website.

When do tier 2 charges take effect

Tier charging is dependent on the meter size.

The bigger the meter, the more usage you get at tier 1 before entering tier 2.

For example: The usage threshold for a 20mm service is 270kL. For every kilolitre up to 270kL you will be charged the first tier. For every kilolitre used over 270kL, you will be charged at the tier 2 rate.

Availability (Access) Charge

An Availability Charge (also called an Access Charge) is a fixed annual fee for properties that can connect to the water supply network. Although it is calculated as an annual amount, for the quarterly water bills, the applied charge on the bill represents one quarter of the total annual charge

This applies to properties located within the Water Supply Service Area, even if they are not currently using water.

The charge depends on the size of the water meter:

• Larger meters mean a higher charge.
• Bigger meters also allow more water at the lower Tier 1 usage rate.

If a property doesn’t yet have a meter, the minimum charge applies (based on a 20mm meter).

For properties like older strata units without individual meters, the charge is calculated as if each unit had a 20mm meter.

Water Usage Tracker

The Water Usage Tracker is an easy way for residents to monitor their average daily usage in each quarter and whether or not they need to improve water efficiency practices to avoid paying the higher rate per kilolitre.

The Water Usage Tracker is located on the back of your water rates notice. The graph format illustrates how much water a household on average per day has used in this billing quarter, last billing quarter and the same billing quarter for the prior year. Predictors indicate whether your usage levels are consistent over time.

Please see below or click here(PDF, 3MB).

1 Assessment number: Unique identifier for your account. You can reference this number when making an enquiry about your account. 

2 Online ID: Another account identifier used as a two-factor authentication number 

3 Billing period: The period you are being charged for in this bill 

4 Issue date:  Date your bill was sent 

5 Property details: Your name and postal address  

6 Water usage charge: The amount of water used at your property over the billing period and what tier has been applied

7 Pay via Payble: Payble is one of several options to pay your bill. Click here to learn more. You can scan the personalised QR code in your bill to register, pay in full or set up a payment schedule. 

8 Water usage 

 Meter number: Unique identifying number of your water meter

 Meter size: Properties connected to our water supply system are charged annually based on the meter size 

 Date read: When the meter was read 

 Previous reading: The read displayed on your meter at the time of your previous read 

 Present reading: The read displayed on your meter at the time of the present read

 Consumption: Number of kilolitres of water used

 Year to Date (YTD) Cons. Number of kilolitres of water used in this financial year

 Tariff: This tells us what to charge for the access (or availability) fee. It is based on a structure consistent with the principals outlined in NSW Department of Industry Best-Practice Management of Water Supply and Sewerage Guidelines. 

 Availability fee: Also known as water availability charge or access charge. This is applicable to all properties fronting a water main to which a water service can be provided. This amount is dependent on and increases according to your meter size. 

9 Your average daily usage. The Water Usage Tracker is an easy way to monitor your daily average usage measured in litres.

The graph format illustrates how much water a household on average per day has used in this billing quarter, last billing quarter, and the same billing quarter for the prior year. Predictors indicate whether your usage levels are consistent over time.

10 Methods of payment. Payment options available. You can pay by mail, by phone, via BPay, in person at our Customer Service counters or via Payble. 

If your water bill is higher than usual, here are a few things to check:

• Review your water usage. Consider whether you’ve used more water than usual during the billing period. For example, did you fill a pool, water the garden heavily, or have guests staying over?
  
  
•  Compare meter readings. Read your water meter (see above guide for reading your meter) and compare it to the reading on your bill. Has it moved in line with the daily average shown on the back of your bill? If the reading seems off, take a photo of your meter and note the date to assist with your enquiry with Council.
  
  
•  Check for leaks. Do an overnight leak check (see above for a guide). If the numbers have changed, you may have a leak.
  
  
• Check your usage tier. Water charges may increase if your usage moves into a higher tier. If you’ve used more water than usual, you may have entered the second tier of pricing, which has a higher rate.
  
  
• Look for usage patterns. The daily average usage on the back of your bill can help you spot any unusual spikes or trends.

If you’ve checked these things and still have concerns, please contact customer service.

If you can’t pay your water bill by the due date, contact customer service to discuss your options.

No, the water access and usage charges are set annually on 1 July.

You can find our current water access and usage charges above.

If you have more questions about your water bill, please contact customer service.