Water, billing and charges

Water billing and charges

Water consumption is a utility (user pays) charge that is measured by water meters installed on every property where a water service has been requested. Water meters are read manually four times a year for billing purposes and the cost of water consumed on your property is included on your quarterly council rates notice.

To help reduce this cost, residents are encouraged to reduce water waste by:

Using water efficient appliances and fixtures.
Regularly checking the water meter reading to identify possible water loss through leaking devices or pipes.
Turning off the water meter when going away on holiday if the house is vacant.
Being water wise around the house – brush teeth with the tap off, don’t pre-rinse dishes before putting in the dishwasher, reduce the number of wash loads by waiting until you have a full load of clothing, and fix leaking toilets and taps promptly.

Residents also pay a fixed quarterly water service charge for connection to the city’s water distribution network and a wastewater (sewerage) service charge for connection to the city’s wastewater network.

Some businesses will also pay a trade waste generator charge and trade waste volumetric charges for commercial and industrial discharge to the wastewater system.

On this page:

Water consumption billing
Water bill
Residential charges
Non-residential charges
Multi-unit developments
Concessions/Rebates
Increased water usage and concealed leaks
Water Consumption Estimator

Water consumption billing

Council contracts out its water meter reading service with the aim to have the water meters read every 92 days plus or minus 2 days.

As is the case with all utility businesses, it is not always possible to do this. The number of days between meter readings can vary depending on weather or access to the property water meter.

Each extra day in your meter reading period could add more than $2 per day to your water bill. This is based on an average household usage of 567 litres per day.

The number of days for your water consumption billing is shown on the water advice with your rate notice.

Your water consumption

To check how much water you are using you can read your water meter. Water meters are usually located near the street-front boundary of your property.

To help calculate your next bill, our Water Consumption Estimator provides an estimate on the total amount of water used and the total cost of the water consumption.

Council has a dedicated water meter inspection officer to investigate any issues with water meter reads. If you need to report an issue with the water meter or the meter reading please contact us.

Council may contact you if the meter reading consumption is higher than expected, which may assist you to check the water meter and look at reasons for increased water usage.

Sometimes circumstances make it difficult to pay by the due date shown on your rate notice. We may be able to assist with a payment arrangement.

Bulk water charges

The State Government has increased its bulk water price by 2.17 per cent for the 2024-25 financial year which will push the city’s annual bulk water bill to $52.9M. Council has kept its retail water consumption increase to just 5.51 percent for the 2024-25 Financial year.

Water bill

Water charges are included with your quarterly Council rate notice.

Water charges may include the following:

All water consumed - as measured by the water meter.
A water service charge for ongoing connection to the city’s water distribution system.
A wastewater service charge for ongoing connection to the city’s wastewater network.
Two charges for businesses, where applicable:
- Trade waste generator charge [PDF 0.2MB].
- Trade waste discharge treatment charge [PDF 0.2MB].

A list of payment options appears on your rate notice.

Contact Redland City Council on (07) 3829 8999 for concerns about a water charge or to discuss payment options.

Residential charges

Residential water and wastewater is charged as a two-part tariff: a fixed access charge and a consumption charge. This is a requirement of the Local Government Act 2009, the South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009 and Schedule 3 of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008.

Residential water and wastewater charges [PDF 0.5MB]

Fixed charges

The fixed access charge for water is billed in advance and is a set charge (based on meter size), independent of the volume of water consumption.

The wastewater fixed access charge is billed in advance and is a set charge.

Consumption charges

Water consumption is charged per kilolitre (1000 litres) and is based on water meter readings taken during the quarter.

Water consumption charges have two parts, a State Government Bulk Water Charge and a Local Government and Retail Distribution Charge.

Bulk Water is charged by the Queensland Government for the cost of wholesale treated drinking water delivered to the Redlands.

Charges for 2023-24:

The State Bulk Water Charge is $3.371 per kilolitre and your water account summary will contain a separate line for bulk water price.
The residential Local Government Distribution and Retail charge is $0.693 per kilolitre.
The total residential water consumption charge is $4.064 per kilolitre.

Charges for 2024-25:

The State Bulk Water Charge is $3.444 per kilolitre and your water account summary will contain a separate line for bulk water price.
The residential Local Government Distribution and Retail charge is $0.732 per kilolitre.
The total residential water consumption charge is $4.176 per kilolitre.

To calculate your consumption charge up to 30 June 2024 please use the 2023-24 pricing:

Take your previous reading from your current readings - this is the kilolitres used for the quarter.
e.g. current reading (black and white dials) of 100 kilolitres less previous reading of 50 kilolitres = 50 kilolitres.
State Bulk Water portion: multiply the kilolitres (50kL) by State Bulk Charge ($3.371) = $168.55.
Residential Distribution and Retail portion: multiply the kilolitres (50kL) by Distribution and Retail Charge ($0.693) = $34.65.
The total consumption charge is $168.55 plus $34.65 = $203.20.

To calculate your consumption charge from 1 July 2024 please use the 2024-25 pricing:

Take your previous reading from your current readings - this is the kilolitres used for the quarter.
e.g. current reading (black and white dials) of 100 kilolitres less previous reading of 50 kilolitres = 50 kilolitres.
State Bulk Water portion: multiply the kilolitres (50kL) by State Bulk Charge ($3.444) = $172.20.
Residential Distribution and Retail portion: multiply the kilolitres (50kL) by Distribution and Retail Charge ($0.732) = $36.60.
The total consumption charge is $172.20 plus $36.60 = $208.80.

Tenants

Tenants may receive a water advice that provides information on water usage. Your lease agreement may specify any obligations you have to pay for water consumption at your residence.

Contact the Residential Tenancies Authority for further information.

Non-residential charges

Non-residential water and wastewater is charged as a two-part tariff: a fixed access charge and a consumption charge. This is a requirement of the Local Government Act 2009, the South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009 and Schedule 3 of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008.

Non-residential water and wastewater charges [PDF, 0.1MB]

Fixed charges

The fixed access charge for water is billed in advance and is a set charge (based on meter size), independent of the volume of water consumption.

The wastewater fixed access charge is billed in advance and is a set charge.

Consumption charges

Water consumption is charged per kilolitre (1000 litres) and is based on water meter readings taken over the quarter.

Water consumption charges have two parts, a State Government Bulk Water charge and a Local Government Distribution and Retail charge.

Bulk Water is charged by the Queensland Government for the cost of wholesale treated drinking water delivered to the Redlands.

Charges for 2023-24:

The State Bulk Water charge is $3.371 per kilolitre, and your summary will contain a separate line for bulk water price.
The non-residential Local Government Distribution and Retail charge is $1.587 per kilolitre.
The total non-residential water consumption charge is $4.958 per kilolitre.

Charges for 2024-25:

The State Bulk Water charge is $3.444 per kilolitre, and your summary will contain a separate line for bulk water price.
The non-residential Local Government Distribution and Retail charge is $1.674 per kilolitre.
The total non-residential water consumption charge is $5.118 per kilolitre.

To calculate your consumption:

Take your previous reading from your current readings - this is the kilolitres used for the quarter.
e.g. current reading of 100 kilolitres less previous reading of 40 kilolitres = 60 kilolitres.
State Bulk Water portion: multiply the kilolitres (60kL) by State Bulk Charge
Non-residential Distribution and Retail portion: multiply the kilolitres (60kL) by Distribution and Retail Charge
The total consumption charge is the combined total for the State Bulk charge and the Distribution and Retail charge

Please note - if your consumption spans two financial years, the charge will be pro-rated.

Non-profit organisations

A concessional water charge may be available to various organisations such as churches and sporting clubs upon application to Council. No water access charge applies and there is a lower rate on consumption charges.

Multi-unit developments

From 1 January 2008, submeters are compulsory for all new multi-unit developments including residential complexes, retirement villages, shops, industrial units and multistorey commercial buildings. This means submeters must be installed for:

each lot within a community title scheme, including the common property
the sole occupancy unit of a class 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 building – for building class definitions refer to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission website
each storey of a class 5 building where the building consists of more than one storey
sole occupancy units not identified at the time of the building’s plumbing compliance assessment.

The requirement for compulsory submetering for new developments is part of the State Government’s response to ensuring everyone understands exactly how much water they use. The change also allows for the cost of actual water used to be passed on to the occupier where legal agreements such as a lease permits.

This is different to the arrangement for existing developments where calculation of water consumption costs is by ‘lot entitlement’ or other arrangement with the owners.

Note: The new requirement does not apply to existing developments before 1 January 2008.

Factsheets

Submetering in new multi-unit developments [PDF, 0.1MB]

Installing submeters

Certain performance standards apply when installing compulsory submeters – for example, meters must be:

of a type acceptable to Council
located so they are easy to read and maintain (from common or public area)
installed by a licensed plumber.

Specific requirements for installing the compulsory submeters are contained in:

Queensland Government plumbing laws and codes:
- The Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code (QPW code).
- Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003.
Redland City Council water meter specification (including drawings).
Australian Standards.

Council’s Plumbing Assessment team review the development’s hydraulic plans and carry out inspections of the submeter installation making sure the meters are correctly installed. When completed, the team provides Council’s water unit, City Water, with details of the submeter and unit number.

For more information, refer to the State Government’s Guidelines for Submeters or contact Redland City Council on 07 3829 8999.

Concessions/Rebates

Queensland State Government Water Subsidy

Queensland Government offers concessions on water for eligible pensioners.

Eligible pensioners can receive a maximum subsidy up to $120 each year off the cost of water access and usage charges.

The subsidy is allowed on only one property at a time and cannot be claimed on any additional properties. Eligibility is determined by the State Government.

Full details are available on the Queensland Government website.

Haemodialysis Home Treatment Rebate

Council provides a rebate where an increase in consumption of water results from a resident in the household being reliant on haemodialysis treatment provided in the home.

Application is made through the treating hospital. The hospital forwards the completed Home dialysis application form and the average kilolitres used per annum in the dialysis treatment to Council for processing.

In the event the dialysis patient is a member of a household in a tenanted property, evidence will be required to show the tenant is responsible for payment of the water consumption. Evidence may be a copy of a lease agreement, letter from the owner or the owner's agent.

Rates concessions

Also see information about rates concessions for pensioners.

Increased water usage and concealed leaks

Has your water usage increased?

There are a number of reasons why your household may be using more water than usual:

Increased consumption caused by filling a pool, extensive hosing or visitors
A leak (this may be underground and not visible) – see Concealed leaks below
Other plumbing issues (a running toilet or washing machine)
Faulty top-up system (water tank or pool)
Misread water meter

To check your water usage:

Read your water meter.
Check all taps and appliances for leaks.
Conduct an overnight check to identify any unaccounted for water usage.
Continue to monitor your water usage by recording regular meter readings.
This estimator will provide the total amount of water used and the total cost of the water.

It is important to have any leaks or plumbing issues fixed quickly by a licensed plumber. This will save water and money.

For more information, download the fact sheet: Has your water use increased?

Concealed leaks

If the leak is not visible it may be concealed or underground. You may be eligible for a remission on the water consumption charge for your residential property. If you identify a plumbing issue, plumbing and drainage work carried out in Queensland must be completed by a licensed plumber with the appropriate endorsements. A reimbursement of a percentage of the water charge due to a concealed leak may be available from both Council and the Queensland State Government for eligible customers.

Council considers a concealed leak to be a burst pipe either underground, under or within concrete or underneath a building - where the occupant could not reasonably expect to know of its existence.

All pipes on the property side of the meter are the owner’s responsibility.

Through its Concealed Leak policy, Redland City Council provides a remission to small customers for the Distribution and Retail component of the water consumption charge. A small customer is defined as either a residential customer who is connected to a South East Queensland (SEQ) service provider’s water and wastewater network and receives a rate notice in their name that includes charges for these services; or a non-residential customer who would use no more than 100 kilolitres of drinking water.

This remission from Council covers a portion of the Distribution and Retail component of the water consumption charge, and the remission from Queensland State Government covers a portion of the State Bulk component of the water consumption charge. The remission is applied in situations where the leak on the property owner’s internal water plumbing is concealed or hidden from view either underground, under or within concrete or under a building.

How to apply for a Concealed Water Leak Remission

1. Make sure you have time to apply
Applying for a Concealed Water Leak remission typically takes about 10 minutes. You'll be able to save your application and resume later if you need more time.

2. Confirm your eligibility
Review and confirm that you meet all the following criteria to be eligible for a remission:

Classified as a residential or small customer.
Attached proof of a concealed leak via a plumber's invoice or report.
Recorded two meter readings taken two weeks apart post-leak repair.
Application lodged within five months from the leak repair date.
No financial adjustment received for a concealed water leak on this property within the last three years, unless superseding a previous application.
Leak repaired within 30 days of identification or notification of higher water usage.

3. Gather your documents
You will need the following documents to complete and submit your application:

Plumber’s invoice or verified report
Two recorded water meter readings and dates of the reads
Any additional documents required by the specific terms of your remission policy

4. Complete the form
Submit your application for a Concealed Water Leak remission online or download the Concealed water leak application form [PDF 0.1MB]

Apply online now

5. We will review your application
Once your application is submitted, we will review it to ensure all criteria are met. You can expect to hear back from us via email or letter once we have processed your application.

Water Consumption Estimator

Estimate the water consumption charge at your property for the current financial year. To estimate, please fill in the Water Consumption Estimator form.