Business pricing, fees and charges
In June 2020, IPART finalised its review of the prices that Hunter Water’s can charge for the period ending in June 2024. Customers will benefit from lower bills over this period and increased investment in the region’s water and wastewater infrastructure.. Below are the prices effective from 1 July 2024.
For a complete list of current prices, see our Customer Charges Guide or see the relevant charges that apply to your business' water and sewer services.
Water charges
Business customers using our water services, can incur fixed a water service charge, a water usage charge and a zone-based charge.
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Fixed water service charge
A fixed water service charge for operating the water system which is calculated based on the size of each billable water meter connected to the property.
Water service charge per meter size
Annual service charge 20mm $27.58 25mm $43.10 32mm $70.62 40mm
$110.33 50mm $172.40 65mm $291.31 80mm $441.34 100mm $689.59 150mm $1,551.38 200mm $2,758.00 250mm $4,309.38 300mm $6,205.50 350mm $8,446.38 -
Water usage charge
A water usage charge is applied to the volume of water used by an individual customer. Usage charges are calculated by a tier one charge (where <50,000 kilolitres total consumption is used during the year) followed by a zone based charge (for any consumption over 50,000 kilolitres during the year).
During periods of drought, the water usage charge will increase to reward people for saving water when it matters most and to reflect the extra costs associated with drought related activities. The drought response water usage charge will start 31 days after water storage levels fall below 60% (the “on” trigger) and will remain in place until 31 days after water storage levels rise above 70% (the “the off” trigger)
We publish current storage levels on our website and will communicate if the drought response water usage charge is to be introduced. View current water storage levels.
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Zone based charges - Standard water usage
For zone based charges the usage price varies according to where each property is located within our area of operations and is greater than 50,000kl consumption in a year.
Water usage Usage charge (per kL of water used) 0-50,000kl $2.89 Unfiltered Water $0.43 Dungog $2.75 Kurri Kurri $2.88 Lookout $2.84 Newcastle $2.82 Seaham - Hexham $2.76 South Wallsend $2.86 Tomago - Kooragang $2.75 All other locations $2.89 1 kilolitre (kL) - 1000 litres
Sewer charges
Business customers using our sewer services, can incur a fixed service charge, a sewer usage charge (calculated using a sewer discharge factor) and environmental improvement charge.
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Fixed sewer service charge
Fixed sewer service charges fund most of the cost of operating the sewer system, and are calculated using the following equation:
(Meter connection charge by meter size x Sewer Discharge Factor %)
The Sewer Discharge Factor (SDF) represents the estimation of the proportion of water used that is discharged to sewer. A minimum sewer service charge applies to non-residential connections which is equivalent to the residential base sewer service charge of $696.78 per annum.
Meter size Meter connection charges (per annum) 20mm $929.04 25mm $1,451.63 32mm $2,378.35 40mm $3,716.17 50mm $5,806.52 65mm $9,812.99 80mm $14,864.68 100mm $23,226.07 150mm $52,258.50 200mm $92,904.00 250mm $145,162.50 300mm $209,034.00 350mm $284,518.50 -
Sewer usage charge
Sewer usage charge $0.77 per kL (1000 litres) used A sewer usage charge is applied to the volume of water used by an individual customer.
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Sewer discharge factor
What is the Sewerage Discharge Factor percentage?
The Sewer Discharge Factor (SDF) percentage calculates fixed service and sewer usage charges for non-residential properties.
How is the SDF percentage determined?
For non-residential properties, the SDF has been broad banded into five bands. A property will fall within one of the bands based on use, which then determines the likely amount of water being discharged to the sewerage system as wastewater.
Each SDF band has an allocation midpoint. This helps keep usage charges consistent for all customers who fall within the defined band. SDF's banding methodology categorises non-residential customers and allows for varying sewer discharge volumes, even within similar business types.
A small number of large industrial customers may be required to have a dedicated meter installed to measure all wastewater discharge to the sewerage system.
Table 1 SDF categories and band midpoints
Category SDF band Midpoint of band Deemed discharge flows Customer type 1 0% 0% No discharge to the sewer system No Connection to the Sewerage System 2 1% - 25% 10% A small proportion of metered water is discharged to the sewerage system Typical enterprises include Nurseries and market gardens 3 26% - 50% 35% Around half of metered water is discharged to the sewerage system Typical enterprises include licensed clubs with catering facilities and substantial external watering eg. bowling greens 4 51% - 75% 60% A significant proportion of metered water is discharged to the sewerage system Typical enterprises include a public swimming pool with showering/toilet facilities and external watering. 5 76% -100% 85% Most, if not all metered water is discharged to the sewerage system Typical enterprises include restaurants and hotels.
Other fees and charges
Depending on the location of your property you may be also charged:
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Recycled water charges
Hunter Water currently has two dual reticulation schemes, one at Gillieston Heights and the other at Thornton North (Chisholm).
In addition to the water and sewer service charges, dual reticulation customers pay a recycled water service charge and a recycled water usage charge.
Recycled Water Usage Charge $2.60 per kL (1000 litres) -
Stormwater drainage charges
If you are a business located within the catchments of our stormwater drains, the following charge applies based on your land parcel size.
Non-Residential Drainage Charges Small
< 1,000 m2 $97.04 per annum Medium 1,001 to 10,000 m2 $316.94 per annum Large 10,001 to 45,000 m2 $2,015.70 per annum Very Large
> 45,000 m2 $6,404.36 per annum -
Trade waste fees
To be conscious of our environment, it's important to us that additional trade wastewater is properly disposed of. Learn more about the charges involved in its disposal in our trade waste guide.
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Miscellaneous services
On top of our general services, we offer a mix of miscellaneous services so that we can meet the needs of all of our customers. See what additional options are available to you and their accompanying fees as stipulated by IPART.
What is the process for having the SDF percentage reviewed?
A property owner may request a review of the SDF percentage if they believe that it is in the wrong category, or it is in the correct category but the category does not accurately represent the use at the property.
If you believe your property is in the wrong category e.g. there has been a change of use at your property, you can submit your request along with supporting documentation confirming the use of the property via email.
If your property is correctly classified but you believe the category does not reflect the level of sewer discharge here's how to go about having your SDF percentage reviewed:
- Request the review in writing
You can submit your request via email, or by writing to:Manager Retail Services
PO Box 5171
HRMC NSW 2310 - Consider installing sub-meters
Install sub-meters (at property owner's expense) to isolate and measure wastewater discharged to the sewerage system from the quantity used in production and/or externally. - Verify sub-meter installation with us
We will need to verify this to ensure internal and external usage is accurate. Measured data will then be captured over a 12-month period to account for seasonal variations in usage.
Should the outcome identify the SDF to be in a different category, the SDF percentage will be set at the midpoint of the appropriate band.
Frequently asked questions
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What is the new drought price?
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has introduced a drought price for the first time. This means that if water storages drop below 60 per cent total capacity, the cost of water would increase from $2.89 per thousand litres to $3.39 per thousand litres.
The price increase rewards people for saving water when it matters most. While there’s a low chance of the drought price being applied, a 15 per cent reduction in water use would fully offset the costs, if it were to be introduced. The price also reflects extra costs associated with delivering water during periods of drought such as higher treatment costs associated with the operation of the Tomago Sandbeds and increased water conservation initiatives.
IPART's final determination for prices
IPART has finalised its review of the prices we can charge for the water, wastewater and stormwater services provided to residential and non-residential customers. Learn more about the updated prices that commenced from 1 July 2020.