From October 2021 Lithgow Council must now pay as much as 36% more for potable water that it is required to purchase for the city’s residents and businesses.
The NSW Government’s pricing regulator, IPART, reviewed WaterNSW’s rural water prices. IPART’s decision resulted in this substantial increased cost to purchase water from WaterNSW’s Fish River Scheme. Raw water costs increased by 17% – 27% and treated water increased by 26% – 36%.
IPART’s report acknowledged that the Fish River Scheme is burdened by ageing infrastructure and a lengthy network of pipelines to service Lithgow and its rural villages. But it also recognised that customers were displeased, with a deteriorating quality of water being supplied.
While the increased cost for water is likely to be as much as $378 000 for the 2021/22 year, the Council has resolved to only recover two thirds of this from residents and businesses this year.
For a residential customer using 50 kl of water each quarter, water accounts would increase from $167.50 per bill to $180.00 per bill for the two remaining quarters of the 2021/22 year.
The Council has a range of options available if you need assistance with payment of your water account:
- Customers can use BPay on their internet banking to set up and control regular direct debit payments. The BPay biller code is on your account notice.
- Registering for regular direct debit payments (rather than paying your water account in a single amount) you can register here – https://council.lithgow.com/direct-debits/
- Customers suffering financial hardship can apply for relief from payment of rates and charges. The Hardship Application form is located here – https://council.lithgow.com/council/forms/
