Know what you use

While each retailer's bills are set out differently, most provide the following general information. If you do not understand your bill, please look at your retailer's website or contact your retailer.

The first page of a water bill usually shows a summary of your account, including the amount you paid for the previous billing period, the total new charges for the current billing period, any amount owing from the previous billing period and the date payment is due. The period the bill covers (usually expressed in days) may be on the first or second page of the bill.

The second page of the bill usually provides itemised information on the amount of water (expressed in kilolitres) you used during the billing period. This should also include the fixed charges that you pay for connection to the water and wastewater system, and the usage charges that are for the amount of water you use.

See IPART's recent household survey.