Rising household price pressure on water bills

HOUSEHOLDS will have to dig deep to find an extra $96 a year as water prices increase.
The Yarra Valley Water (YVW) price hike comes after the proposed increases were announced by the State Government last August.
It was also reviewed and approved by the Essential Services Commission (ESC) last week.
The rates increased as of last Tuesday, 1 July, and will mean an average increase of $24 a quarter.
YVW manager director Tony Kelly said the price increases come as the State Government and Melbourne’s water companies were planning for future water needs.
Mr Kelly said that the ongoing drought was one of the worst on record and that it had taken its toll on Melbourne’s water storage levels.
He said that climate change also added to those pressures and has posed long-term pressures on the water industry.
Mr Kelly said that although customers had done a fantastic job in saving water, it was still necessary to increase prices.
He said this price hike was a vital step to make sure that there was enough water for the future.
“We anticipate that the new price rises will cost a typical household a further $24 per quarter, an investment that is vital for delivering new water sources for the city.
This $24 increase is the equivalent to an average family buying a week’s worth of milk
But Mr Kelly said that to soften the blow the State Government had also increased concession rates by 14.8 per cent to help low income families.