Does your new water bill have you scratching your head? Are you wondering if what you’re paying is normal for your area?
Are there ways you could be saving money on water?
Let’s look at the average cost of water in Adelaide to figure out the answer.
Understanding Your Water Bill
Water billing isn’t as straightforward as you would think. That’s why it can be difficult to figure out what you’re being charged for on your bill. However, it also isn’t that odd. Once you understand the components, it’s actually quite simple.
So what are the components of your water bill?
The first is a set charge and nearly every household pays the same amount. This covers the cost of the infrastructure required to bring water to your home.
The second is more volatile and is directly linked to how much water you use. You are charged a certain rate for every kiloLitre of water that you use.
However, you might notice a second charge per kL or even a third. This is done in an effort to encourage people to conserve water. As you use more water, the price per kL goes up.
How Much Is the Average Water Bill in Adelaide?
To understand if you are paying the right amount, it’s important to know what is normal for your area. The price of water in Adelaide doesn’t double from a 2-person household to a 4-person one as you would expect. This is due to the fixed charge.
On average, 2-person households pay about $135 for a 3-month billing cycle. However, a 4-person household pays $230 on average — $40 less than double what the 2-person households pay.
Ways to Lower Your Bill
Do you think your bill could be lower? Even if you’re close to the average, remember that it’s an average, some households are paying less and you could be too. Here are a few ideas for reducing your water usage that you will barely even notice.
Reuse Your Grey Water
Here’s one that will make a huge difference but doesn’t require you to skimp on water usage in the slightest. Install a system to collect the dirty water from your laundry. Use this water for your lawn and garden needs. Your plants don’t care if there’s a little dirt in it!
Don’t Wash Dishes by Hand
Haters of dishwashing rejoice! Modern dishwashers use far less water to clean your dishes than hand washing uses. Just make sure the machine is full every time you run it to get the most benefit!
Low-Flow Showerheads
Here’s another trick that will reduce your shower water usage by about half without changing a single habit. These specially designed showerheads offer a flow rate of 9 litres per minute or even less, whereas a normal showerhead uses about 18 litres per minute.
Watch Your Water Bill Fall
Just by understanding your water bill and implementing a few simple tips, you can watch your water bill fall. And that’s something to get excited about!