Annual water use and service charges increase
You may have noticed an increase on your charges. This is a standard price increase that takes place at the start of each financial year.
Our pricing is set by the State Government and aims to encourage customers to be waterwise, as climate change continues to impact WA’s water supply.
Water use and service charges for 2026-27 have increased by an average of 2.75%, below the forecast inflation of 3.75%. The State Government has made an effort to maintain price increases at or below inflation in consideration of cost-of-living pressures.
My increase seems higher than the standard 2.75%
If your bill has increased more than the standard 2.75%, it could be because of changes to your property's Gross Rental Value (GRV) assessed by Landgate. From 1 July 2026, GRV revaluations may lead to greater increases in sewerage charges capped at 12.75% and drainage charges capped at $25. See below for more details.
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Understanding your pricing changes
Residential pricing - Perth metro
For Perth metro water use charges have increased by 2.75%. Water use charges are based on how much water you use in your home.
Water service charges have increased by 2.75%. Water service charges cover the cost of providing water, sewerage and drainage to your property. Sewerage and drainage charges are based on your property’s Gross Rental Value (GRV), set by Landgate. The recent revaluation in property GRVs can lead to higher increases to your sewerage and drainage service charges. However, the increase for sewerage charges is capped at 12.75% and $25 for drainage charges.
Please note that Mandurah and Peel region are included under the regional charges.
Residential pricing - Regional areas
Residential water use and service charges have increased by 2.75%, with pricing designed to encourage waterwise use. Water use charges are based on how much water you use in your home.
Wastewater service charges have increased by an average of 2.75%. Water service charges cover the cost of providing water and sewerage to your property. Among the regional wastewater schemes, only Mandurah was revalued as part of the 2026 Perth metro Gross Rental Value (GRV) revaluation. Updated property GRV set by Landgate for Mandurah applies to sewerage charges from 1 July 2026, with individual bills varying up to a capped 12.75% increase. Drainage charges don't apply to regional areas.
Business pricing - Perth metro
All non-residential charges increased by an average of 2.75%. This applies to all lines of business and both service and volumetric charges.
Business pricing – Regional areas
All non-residential charges increased by 2.75% (includes Mandurah area). This applies to all lines of business and both service and volumetric charges.
Businesses pay the same for water service charges, and wastewater service and volumetric charges as metro businesses. Water use charges vary based on location. Drainage charges do not apply to regional customers.
FAQs
Each year, our prices are reviewed and set by the State Government as part of the State Budget process and published in the relevant regulations.
Residential wastewater charges are based on the Gross Rental Value (GRV) of each property. Every property has a unique GRV as assessed by the Valuer General (Landgate). Every three years, Landgate undertakes a revaluation of the GRVs for the metro areas. 2026 is a revaluation year.
The new GRVs provided by Landgate take effect from 1 July 2026.
The 2.75% increase in charges for 2026-27 is an average increase across the metro area. However, as GRV movements can vary significantly, bill changes will vary from customer to customer. The maximum increase in a customer’s bill for 2026-27 is capped at 12.75%.
There is no ‘typical’ regional residential customer due to the high variations in water use charges due to location and specific circumstances.
Regional customers receive up to 300 kL (or 500 kL in warmer areas) of water annually at metro-equivalent prices.
For sewerage charges there is a unique rate in the dollar GRV set for each town and a maximum annual charge cap at 12.75%. For properties already paying the maximum annual sewerage charge of $1,383.42 for the 2025-26 financial year the increase will be 2.75%. No drainage charges apply to regional customers.
Among the regional wastewater schemes, only Mandurah was revalued as part of the 2026 Perth metro GRV revaluation. The new GRVs provided by Landgate have been applied for setting charges for Mandurah from 1 July 2026.
Regional water prices are higher due to higher supply costs in general. The tiered tariffs and capped rates ensure charges better reflect local costs while protecting customers from very high bills.
All regional schemes have completed their transition to target pricing levels, so there are no class or step changes in 2026–27.