Water is expensive in Adelaide. South Australians pay the highest bills for water across the nation. The majority of the people in Adelaide monitor and manage their water usage, and it is the right thing to do when you live in the driest part of the world.

It is not difficult to reduce your water bill. You just need to keep track of your water usage and understand the water bill calculations. Here we discuss how much the average water bill in Adelaide is and how to reduce it.

Structure of water bill in Adelaide and the average cost of water

SA Water, the body that supplies water across the state, charges its residential customers two types of fees.

All bills sent to residential units contain a fixed amount payable for having a water connection. For 2021-22, the charge was set as $274.40 a year, which means you pay $68.60 per quarter. You do not have any control over this amount as it is a flat rate applicable to all the customers.

However, you can reduce your water bill by manipulating the second part that depends on your usage. There are three tiers of price structure. You will automatically go to the next tier if you use more than your daily allowance. So, the more water you use, the more you pay per litre.

As of 2021-22, the price structure is as follows. The threshold limit is set daily and does not depend on your billing cycle. Remember, a late reading will not impact your bill.

Tier Use Price Per day limit

1 $1.966/kL 0 to 383.6 L

2 $2.806/kL 383.6 L to 1424.7 L

3 $3.040/kL Above 1424.7 L

Saving money on your water bill in Adelaide

Get modern water-efficient appliances

Old models use much more water than what is needed. Invest in specially designed newer appliances to limit water usage. All appliances, including washing machines, dishwashers, showerheads and toilets, are now required to be marked with a blue, water efficiency rating label. The more stars a label has, the more water-efficient the appliance.

Water your garden with greywater

By watering your garden with greywater from the washing machine, you can reduce your water usage by 10%. Calculate how much you will be able to save over the years by taking this simple step.

Fix leaky taps and pipes

You may think it is only a few drops of water, and that it doesn’t matter. That’s not true! A small leak can dump gallons of water (and hundreds of dollars) down the drain if you don’t get it repaired.

It is often difficult to spot a leak in a hidden area like your toilet tank. Put a few drops of food colouring into the tank and see if the colour of the water inside the pan changes. If it does, you’ve got a leak that needs to be fixed.

Use dual flush/no flush toilets

Dual flush toilets are 50% more water-efficient than single flush models. These toilets are an excellent choice for places like Adelaide where water is expensive.

Conclusion

If you are not sure which appliances will be most cost-effective, you can visit your nearest plumbing shop or consult an expert online.