Chris Steel MLA said individual water meters are fairer and more efficient. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Does the idea of paying the exact same water charge as everyone else in an apartment complex, regardless of water use, seem unfair to you?
Change could soon be on its way.
The ACT Government has announced it will introduce individual water metering for each separate unit in new apartment buildings and townhouse developments.
“People living in mixed-use unit-titled developments in the ACT currently pay a fixed charge for water, which is divided between all unit owners regardless of how much water they use. Individual water metering means unit owners will only pay for the water they use,” Minister for Planning Chris Steel said.
“As our city continues to grow, and we focus on delivering more types of housing choice, it’s important that we modernise water metering in mixed-use developments, townhouses and duplexes.”
The announcement comes three months before the ACT election in October 2024.
The ACT Government is working with government-owned utility Icon Water and the Unit Titles Reform Project Consultative Group to progress this proposal for new unit developments.
New requirements will apply to development applications lodged from 1 January 2025 for Class B units (generally townhouse type developments), and from 1 July 2028 for Class A units (generally multi-storey developments). Proponents can opt in earlier to the new requirements if they choose.
“For existing unit developments, the owners corporation can determine different ways of calculating contribution levies, such as water billing. For example, in a mixed-use development with commercial and residential units, a commercial operator that uses a high volume of water may be charged proportionally more, if agreed by the owners corporation by special resolution,” Mr Steel said.
Individual water metering will make the system fairer and encourage people to conserve water. Photo: Supplied.
According to water meter installer Brad Barns, individual meters have many benefits.
“The installation of separate water meters helps tenants and consumers reduce their water consumption since they can monitor their daily water usage and change their habits accordingly, saving money on their bills. This has benefits not only for people but for the environment,” he says.
“Councils and water authorities can detect and catch a leakage in the system, lessening the chance of water wastage. Water authorities and the body corporate in a block of units can monitor usage and provide precise billing to each separate consumer.
“People who own holiday units in apartment blocks can also benefit. If the property has individual water meters for units where there are permanent tenants, they quite rightly feel ripped off if they’re paying the same for water usage as the others. With an individual meter, the holiday unit owner will only pay for their usage.”
Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction Shane Rattenbury said individual water metering will make the system fairer and encourage people to conserve water.
“Water is a finite resource, and we know that the ACT is sometimes impacted by extended dry periods, which will only become more frequent and severe with climate change,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“Icon Water will be responsible for implementing the new metering system. Data will be collected from the meters by Icon Water to inform them to make decisions about water supply infrastructure, identify any leaks and support faster repairs.
“I look forward to seeing the benefits of the new metering system for apartment residents and the environment over the coming months and years,” Mr Rattenbury said.
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