The water price rises announced today will do little to reduce water consumption and help South Australia to become water secure, says Greens MLC Mark Parnell.

“Over the last couple of years the Government has slugged those who use the least amount of water with the greatest increase in price. Surely we should be rewarding those who use less?” said Greens MLC Mark Parnell.

In 2007/08 there was a two-tier pricing structure:

$.50/kL for water use from 0-125kL
$1.16/kL for water use above 125kL

Which was increased for 2008/09 to:

$0.71/kL for water use from 0-120kL
$1.38/kL for water use from 120-520kL
$1.65/kL for water use from above 520kL

And released today was the following further price increase:

$0.97/kL for water use from 0-120kL
$1.88/kL for water use from 120-520kL
$2.26/kL for water use from above 520kL

“Since 2007, the price of water has gone up 94% for those using less than 125kL/year, and 62% for those using more than 125kL. Water pricing should be used to encourage people to become water wise, but the bigger increase for those who use the least water sends completely the wrong message,” he said.

Last week in State Parliament, Mark Parnell moved a motion calling for changes to the water pricing structure by increasing the volumetric costs and reducing other charges to provide more incentive for water users to reduce their demand.

“While strongly welcoming the slight reduction in the fixed supply charge, the mis-match between the cost of the supply charge and the cost of water is still too great. At the moment, a household who strives hard to save water will still see little benefit in their final bill,” Mr Parnell said.