Your water and sewer charges

Water supply charges

Connected land

Land supplied with water from our water network is subject to a two-part charge, consisting of:

  • an annual water access charge, based on the size of the water meter
  • a usage charge, based on water consumed.

Unconnected land

An annual charge may apply to land within 225 metres of a water main. This applies whether the land is connected to our water network or not.

Sewerage charges

Connected land

An annual connection charge applies to properties that discharge sewer into our sewer network.

Unconnected land

An unconnected charge applies to land within 75 metres of our sewer network, whether it is connected or not.

Granny flats: Properties with granny flats that are not used as multiple occupancies can apply for re-classification as single residences. This may reduce sewer charges. To find out more, contact us on 1300 133 455.

Sewer volumetric charges

Sewer volumetric charges consist of two components - an access charge and a usage charge. These charges apply to:

  • motels, hotels
  • licenced clubs, restaurants
  • non-strata titled units, multiple occupancies
  • caravan parks
  • laundries, car wash facilities
  • preschools, schools
  • hospitals, nursing homes, medical centres
  • community swimming pools
  • shopping complexes
  • service stations, factories

Factors that influence our water and sewer charges

Occasionally we get asked why our water and sewer charges are higher than those in metropolitan areas of New South Wales like Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast. There are a range of factors that influence the cost of our water and sewer services, but one of the most significant is the fact that we service a relatively small population across a large geographical area. 

The MidCoast local government area is over 10,000km2 and we provide water and sewer services to around 100,000 people. To achieve this, we operate six water supply systems,15 sewage treatment plants and have more than 2,400 kilometres of water and sewer mains in the ground. This means we have a large amount of infrastructure to build, operate and maintain but a relatively small customer base to recoup the costs from.

By comparison, water utilities in metropolitan areas usually service a large population in a relatively condensed geographical area, which allows them to spread the cost of operating and maintaining these services across a larger customer base, resulting in lower costs to the individual customer. For example, our neighbours in the Lower Hunter operate an area of 5,400 km2 and have around 600,000 people in homes and businesses contributing to infrastructure costs.

Other factors also influence the cost of our services, including water quality, maintenance request response times and NSW Environment Protection Authority licence conditions. 

To find out more about our water supply systems, visit Water supplies - MidCoast Council.

Refer to our fees and charges for all of our current charges.

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