The Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has approved price increases for water and sewerage services in the ACT for 2019-20.
Following the ICRC’s approval, the combined water and sewerage bill for a typical Canberra household will increase by 1.9 per cent, broadly in line with inflation.
This amounts to an increase of around $22 a year, or 43c a week.
The key drivers for the price adjustment have been the Consumer Price Index and Government charges.
Managing Director of Icon Water, Ray Hezkial said the utility would continue to deliver quality drinking water, reliable supply, great customer service, environmental sustainability and value for money.
“This price change is part of a five-year direction set by the ICRC for 2018-2023. In setting prices, the ICRC takes into account the changing costs of delivering water to the region and treating the sewage of almost half a million people,” Mr Hezkial said.
“This includes capital works to upgrade our assets, including more than 6,000 kilometres of pipes and a range of plants, pumping stations and reservoirs.”
He said Icon Water expected to spend more than $10 million upgrading the tertiary filters and disinfection system at Canberra’s primary sewage treatment plant.
“This will make sure sewage is cleaned and treated to stringent standards before it’s released back into the Molonglo River,” Mr Hezkial said.
“We also expect to spend more than $16 million replacing water and sewer mains which have reached the end of their life.”
The water price increases come into force on 1 July.
