DOWN THE DRAIN

SOUTH Australian households hit by sky-high power bills have also been silently battling surging water and sewerage costs in a doublewhammy on family budgets.

An Advertiser analysis of 10 years of Bureau of Statistics data has found that water and sewerage charges jumped an average 91 per cent since 2007, not far behind electricity’s 116 per cent spike.

Figures show that Adelaide prices have risen at least 77 per cent, compared to 55 per cent in Sydney and Hobart — well above the 27 per cent rate of inflation for the same period.

In Melbourne, Brisbane and Darwin, water costs have surged more than 115 per cent.

Industry experts say the price rises reflect extra government spending on desalinisation plants and other water security projects while encouraging water conservation by making higher users pay more.

Separate Bureau of Meteorology Figures show Australia’s median household water and sewerage bill last year was almost $1400.

Heavy users with expensive properties can pay much more.

Water economics specialist, Australian National University professor Quentin Grafton, said the costs to “droughtproof” cities had been passed on to consumers.

“This has been done to deliberately promote the conservation of water,” he said.

Higher water prices have largely been overlooked by consumers as larger household costs dominate debate.

Water Services Association of Australia executive director Adam Lovell said using water was more of a discretionary activity than using power.

“People are still looking for ways to save water — they feel it is something they have control over,” he said. “We have seen a 20-25 per cent drop in water demand since the millennium drought across Australia.”

Mr Lovell said he expected water prices to remain stable “in real terms” over the next few years. Household budgeting specialist David Rankin said water prices were not front of mind for most people.

“As a consequence, water price rises have flown under the radar of many household budgets,” he said. Mr Rankin said that higher water prices created secondary financial pressures for households such as more expensive groceries.

An SA Water spokesman last night said that over the past four years, its customers had received a 6.5 per cent cut to bill costs — the largest reduction in bills in the country.

“We’re listening to our customers and will continue to work hard to reflect their priorities like keeping prices as low and stable as possible,” he said.