The charges on your bill can look complex and be difficult to understand. So to help you, here’s an explanation about the standard items that make up your bill and how these are calculated to get your total amount.

If there are any items showing on your bill that you are unsure of or need help understanding, please phone our Contact Centre on 13 26 57 (7am-7pm weekdays). 
There are two types of charges on your bill. Fixed charges and water consumption charges.

1. Fixed Charges

Fixed charges are billed in advance for each quarter.
  • Water Access Charge -  helps to pay for the maintenance and distribution network that delivers water to your business. It is a fixed charge each quarter.
  • Sewerage Access Charge -  helps to pay for the sewage treatment, maintenance and the distribution network that removes sewage from your business.

2. Water Consumption Charges

  • State Bulk Water Charge - covers the cost of treated water that Queensland Urban Utilities buys from the State Government. It is charged per kilolitre (kL) of water used. (1kL = 1000 litres)
  • Tiered Consumption Charge - water consumption is scaled so that the more water you use, the more you pay. These charges encourage businesses to use water efficiently, and ensure high-volume users contribute their share. It is charged per kilolitre (kL) of water used.
  • Tiered Consumption Thresholds - tiered consumption thresholds and charges are divided into the three tiers on a per annum basis and are in addition to the State Bulk Water Charge.

Your water consumption thresholds are calculated per quarter and will vary depending on the number of days of your quarterly or monthly water meter-reading period. This table below shows the threshold for a 90 day billing period, for a single connection.


Tiers Water consumption threshold
Per annum		 Water consumption threshold
90 day billing quarter
Tier 1 Consumption Up to 200kL
 Up to 49kL per quarter*
Tier 2 Consumption Between 200kL and 300kL
 50kL - 75kL per quarter*
Tier 3 Consumption Above 300kL
 In excess of 74kL per quarter*

Per annum threshold/365 (days in year) x days/billing quarter 

A commercial property uses 1000kL in a 90 day reading period.

*Based on a 90 day meter reading period. Quarterly thresholds will vary based on the number of days in a meter reading period. 

STEP 1

Calculate your daily tiered consumption rate by dividing the yearly consumption threshold (see table above) by 365. 

  • Tier 1 threshold daily rate:  (200kL/365 days) = 0.548
  • Tier 2 threshold daily rate:  (300kL/365 days) = 0.822
STEP 2

Calculate your quarterly or monthly threshold by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days in your water meter reading period.

  • Tier 1:  0.548 x 90 days = 49kL
  • Tier 2:  0.822 x 90 days = 74kL
  • Tier 3:  all consumption above 74kL 
STEP 3

Calculate the charges using the kilolitres that apply in each tier:

  • Tier 1: 49 kL x $0.921832 = $45.17
  • Tier 2: 25 kL x $1.053523 = $26.34 (Tier 2: 74 - 49kL = 25kL)
  • Tier 3: 926 kL x $1.544370 = $1430.09 (74kL)

Total = $1,501.60

STEP 4

Calculate the State Bulk Water Charge

  • 1,000kL x $2.748000 = $2,748.00
STEP 5

Add together the Water and Sewerage Access charges, the State Bulk Water Charge and the Tier Consumption Charge totals:

  • Water Access Charge = $48.75
  • Sewerage Access Charge = $132.21
  • Tier Consumption Charges = $1,501.60
  • State Bulk Water Charge = $2,748.00

Total charges = $4,430.56

Tiers Water consumption threshold
Per annum		 Water consumption threshold
90 day billing quarter
Tier 1 Consumption Up to 320kL
 Up to 79kL
Tier 2 Consumption Above 320kL
 Above 79kL

A commercial property (25mm connection) uses 200kL in a 90 day reading period.

STEP 1

Calculate your daily tiered consumption rate by dividing the yearly (per annum) consumption threshold (see table above) by 365.

  • Tier 1 threshold daily rate:  (320kL/365 days) = 0.877 
STEP 2

Calculate your quarterly or monthly threshold by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days in your water meter reading period.

  • Tier 1:  0.877 x 90 days = 79kL
  • Tier 2:  all consumption above 79kL 
STEP 3

Calculate the charges using the kilolitres that apply in each tier:

  • Tier 1:  79kL x $0.945776 = $74.72
  • Tier 2: 121kL x $1.915498 = $231.78 (Usage of 200kL minus Tier 1 threshold 79kL = 121kL)

Total = $306.50

STEP 4

Calculate the State Bulk Water Charge

  • 200kL x $2.706000 = $541.20
STEP 5

Add together the Water and Sewerage Access charges, the State Bulk Water Charge and the Tiered consumption charge totals:

  • Water Access Charge = $99.03
  • Sewerage Access Charge = $157.74
  • Tier Consumption Charges = $306.50
  • State Bulk Water Charge = $541.20

Total charges = $1,104.47

Tiers Water consumption threshold
Per annum		 Water consumption threshold
90 day billing quarter
Tier 1 Consumption Up to 300kL
 Up to 74kL
Tier 2 Consumption Above 300kL
 Above 74kL

A commercial property (in the Gatton area) uses 750kL in a 90 day reading period.

STEP 1

Calculate your daily tiered consumption rate by dividing the yearly (per annum) consumption threshold (see table above) by 365.

  • Tier 1 threshold daily rate:  (300kL/365 days) = 0.8219
STEP 2

Calculate your quarterly or monthly threshold by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days in your water meter reading period.

  • Tier 1 - 0.8219 x 90 days = 74kL
  • Tier 2 - all consumption above 74kL
STEP 3

Calculate the charges using the kilolitres that apply in each tier:

  • Tier 1 - 74kL x $0.514791 = $38.09
  • Tier 2 - 676kL x $1.017607 = $687.90 (Usage of 750kL minus Tier 1 threshold 74kL = 676kL)

    • Total = $725.99

STEP 4

Calculate the State Bulk Water Charge

  • 750kL x $2.748000= $2,061
STEP 5

Add together the Water and Sewerage Access charges, the State Bulk Water Charge and the Tiered Consumption

  • Water Access Charge = $129.00
  • Sewerage Access Charge = $116.91
  • Tier Consumption Charges = $725.99
  • State Bulk Water Charge = $2,061

Total charges = $3,032.90

Tiers Water consumption threshold
Per annum		 Water consumption threshold
90 day billing quarter
Tier 1 Consumption Up to 300kL
 Up to 74kL
Tier 2 Consumption Above 300kL
 Above 74kL

A business property (20mm connection) uses 750kL in a 90 day reading period.

STEP 1

Calculate your daily tiered consumption rate by dividing the yearly (per annum) consumption threshold (see table above) by 365.

  • Tier 1 threshold daily rate:  (300kL/365 days) = 0.8219
STEP 2

Calculate your quarterly or monthly threshold by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days in your water meter reading period.

  • Tier 1 - 0.8219 x 90 days = 74kL
  • Tier 2 - all consumption above 74kL
STEP 3

Calculate the charges using the kilolitres that apply in each tier:

  • Tier 1 - 74kL x $0.969721 = $71.76
  • Tier 2 - 676kL x $0.969721 = $655.53 (Usage of 750kL minus Tier 1 threshold 74kL = 676kL)

    • Total = $727.29

STEP 4

Calculate the State Bulk Water Charge

  • 750kL x $2.748000= $2,061
STEP 5

Add together the Water and Sewerage Access charges, the State Bulk Water Charge and the Tiered Consumption

  • Water Access Charge = $102.42
  • Sewerage Access Charge = $144.12
  • Tier Consumption Charges = $727.29
  • State Bulk Water Charge = $2,061

Total charges = $3,034.83

Tiers Water consumption threshold
Per annum		 Water consumption threshold
90 day billing quarter
Tier 1 Consumption Up to 300kL
 Up to 74kL
Tier 2 Consumption Above 300kL
 Above 74kL

A business property (Kilcoy) uses 750kL in a 90 day reading period.

STEP 1

Calculate your daily tiered consumption rate by dividing the yearly (per annum) consumption threshold (as shown in the above table) by 365.

  • Tier 1 threshold daily rate:  (300 kL/365 days) = 0.822

STEP 2

Calculate your quarterly or monthly threshold by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days in your water meter reading period.

  • Tier 1 - 0.822 x 90 days = 74kL
  • Tier 2 - all consumption above 74kL   
    • STEP 3

Calculate the charges using the kilolitres that apply in each tier:

  • Tier 1:   74kL x $0.275354 = $20.38
  • Tier 2:  676kL x $0.634508= $428.93(Usage of 750kL minus Tier 1 threshold 74kL = 676kL)

Total = $449.31

STEP 4

Calculate the State Bulk Water Charge

  • 750 kL x $2.748000 = $2,061
STEP 5

Add together the Water and Sewerage Access charges, the State Bulk Water Charge and the Tiered Consumption

  • Water Access Charge = $85.98
  • Sewerage Access Charge = $150.27
  • Tier Consumption Charges = $449.31
  • State Bulk Water Charge = $2,061

Total charges = $2,746.56