Save water, get billed

SOUTHEAST Queenslanders are facing higher, fixed water bills because they are not using enough liquid gold.

Seqwater has asked for water to be charged like electricity under a total overhaul of the way it bills households.

It comes as the utility admits a revenue shortfall of $163 million following warnings it cannot properly service its debt at current prices. The massive hole in earnings has been blamed on waterwise residents turning off the tap.

In a newly-published submission, Seqwater has asked the Queensland Competition Authority to introduce two-tariff pricing, similar to that used to calculate electricity bills.

Such a move would see bills increase to help Seqwater’s bottom line. The QCA is due to provide a draft report by November 30 and a final report by March 31.