Lithgow City Council has released the 4th Quarter water bills for the financial year. Council utilises a two-tier system for water usage pricing to encourage water conservation by charging a higher rate per kilolitre once a residence exceeds 250kL in a annual cycle.
Residents across the Lithgow local government area are being reminded that their water bills for the 4th quarter of the year may be higher than previous quarters as many households have now exceeded the annual Tier 1 water usage threshold of 250 kilolitres.
Lithgow City Council has confirmed that all water bills have been correctly charged under the existing two-tier pricing structure:
• Tier 1: The first 250kL of water use is charged at a lower rate in the annual cycle
• Tier 2: Any water usage above 250kL (cumulative from July 1) is charged at a higher rate
As water use is measured cumulatively across the financial year, many households who stayed within Tier 1 in earlier quarters will now be charged at Tier 2 rates in the 4th quarter if their total usage has exceeded 250kL.
This may come as a surprise to some residents who are seeing higher bills, especially if their consumption patterns remained steady, but their cumulative usage has now pushed them into Tier 2 pricing.
Residents are encouraged to:
• Review past bills to understand how water usage has accumulated across the year
• Be aware that Tier 2 rates automatically apply once the 250kL annual threshold is exceeded
• Check in with elderly neighbours or family members, who may need help understanding the billing structure
The tiered pricing system is designed to encourage responsible water use and conservation across the entire financial year. However, the jump from Tier 1 to Tier 2 can result in a noticeable increase in the cost per kilolitre.
For more information on the tiered pricing system, fees and charges or to access water saving tips, visit the Lithgow City Council website.