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 home.
  • Sewerage Access Charge - helps to pay for the sewage treatment, maintenance and the distribution network that removes sewage from your home. 

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 residents to use water efficiently, and ensure high-volume users contribute their share. It is charged per kilolitre (kL) of water used. (1kL = 1000 litres)
  • Tiered Consumption Thresholds - tiered consumption thresholds and charges are divided into the two tiers on a per annum basis and are in addition to the State Bulk Water Charge.

Your water consumption thresholds are then calculated per quarter and will vary depending on the number of days of your water meter-reading period. The table below shows the threshold for a 90 day billing period for a single connection for 2017-18 pricing.


Charges Water consumption threshold
Per annum		 Water consumption threshold
90 day billing quarter		 Per kilolitre
Tier 1 Consumption Up to 300kL
 Up to 74kL
 $0.768000
Tier 2 Consumption Over 300kL
 Over 74kL
 $1.453000

Example calculation

A residential property uses 80kL in a 90 day reading period.
STEP 1
Calculate your daily tiered consumption rate by dividing the yearly consumption threshold (as shown in the above table) by 365. 
  • Tier 1 threshold daily rate:  (300kL/365 days) = 0.8219
STEP 2
Calculate your quarterly threshold by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days in your quarterly water meter reading period. This can be found on your Water and Sewerage Account.
  • 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 $0.76800 = $56.83
  • Tier 2 - 6kL x $1.453000 = $8.71 (Usage of 80kL minus Tier 1 threshold 74kL =6kL)
Total = $65.54
STEP 4
Calculate the State Bulk Water Charge
  • 80kL x $2.817000 = $225.36
STEP 5
Add together the Water and Sewerage Access charges, the State Bulk Water Charge and the Tiered consumption Charge totals:
  • Water Access Charge = $51.63
  • Sewerage Access Charge = $131.97
  • Tier Consumption Charges = $65.54
  • State Bulk Water Charge = $225.36
Total charges = $474.50

Charges Water consumption threshold
Per annum		 Water consumption threshold
90 day billing quarter		 Per kilolitre
Tier 1 Consumption Up to 300kL
 Up to 74kL
 $0.933000
Tier 2 Consumption Over 300kL
 Over 74kL
 $1.489000

A residential property uses 80kL 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 threshold by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days in your quarterly water meter reading period. This can be found on your Water and Sewerage Account.
  • 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 $0.933000 = $69.04
  • Tier 2:   6kL x $1.489000= $8.93(Usage of 80kL minus Tier 1 threshold 74kL = 6kL)
Total = $77.97
STEP 4
Calculate the State Bulk Water Charge
  • 80kL x $2.817000 = $225.36
STEP 5
Add together the Water and Sewerage Access charges, the State Bulk Water Charge and the Tiered consumption Charge totals:
  • Water Access Charge = $80.61
  • Sewerage Access Charge = $152.04
  • Tier Consumption Charges = $77.97
  • State Bulk Water Charge = $225.36
Total charges = $535.98

Charges Water consumption threshold
Per annum		 Water consumption threshold
90 day billing quarter		 Per kilolitre
Tier 1 Consumption Up to 300kL
 Up to 74kL
 $0.482000
Tier 2 Consumption Above 300kL
 Above 74kL
 $1.474000

A residential property (in the Gatton area) uses 80kL 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 table above) by 365. 

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

Calculate your quarterly threshold by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days in your quarterly water meter reading period. This can be found on your Water and Sewerage Account.

  • 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 $0.482000 = $35.66
  • Tier 2:   6kL x $1.474000 = $8.84(Usage of 80kL minus Tier 1 threshold 74kL = 6kL)
Total = $44.50
STEP 4

Calculate the State Bulk Water Charge

  • 80kL x $2.817000 = $225.36
STEP 5

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

  • Water Access Charge - Full Pressure = $80.61
  • Sewerage Access Charge = $115.38
  • Tier Consumption Charges = $44.50
  • State Bulk Water Charge = $225.36
Total charges = $465.85

Charges Water consumption threshold
Per annum		 Water consumption threshold
90 day billing quarter		 Per kilolitre
Tier 1 Consumption Up to 300kL
 Up to 74kL
 $0.933000
Tier 2 Consumption Above 300kL
 Above 74kL
 $1.489000

A residential property (20mm connection) uses 80kL 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 table above) by 365. 

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

Calculate your quarterly threshold by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days in your quarterly water meter reading period. This can be found on your Water and Sewerage Account.

  • 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 $0.933000 = $69.04
  • Tier 2:   6kL x $1.489000 = $8.93 (Usage of 80kL minus Tier 1 threshold 74kL = 6kL)
Total = $77.97
STEP 4

Calculate the State Bulk Water Charge

  • 80kL x $2.817000 = $225.36
STEP 5

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

  • Water Access Charge - Full Pressure = $80.61
  • Sewerage Access Charge = $139.56
  • Tier Consumption Charges = $77.97
  • State Bulk Water Charge = $225.36
Total charges = $523.50
Charges Water consumption threshold
Per annum		 Water consumption threshold
90 day billing quarter		 Per kilolitre
Tier 1 Consumption Up to 300kL
 Up to 74kL
 $0.482000
Tier 2 Consumption Above 300kL
 Above 74kL
 $1.046000

A residential property (Esk) uses 80kL 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 table above) by 365. 
  • Tier 1 threshold daily rate:  (300kL/365 days) = 0.8219
STEP 2
Calculate your quarterly threshold by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days in your quarterly water meter reading period. This can be found on your Water and Sewerage Account.
  • 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 $0.482000 = $35.66
  • Tier 2:   6kL x $1.046000= $6.27(Usage of 80kL minus Tier 1 threshold 74kL = 6kL) 
Total = $41.93
STEP 4
Calculate the State Bulk Water Charge
  • 80kL x $2.817000 = $225.36
STEP 5
Add together the Water and Sewerage Access charges, the State Bulk Water Charge and the Tier Consumption Charge totals:
  • Water Access Charge = $80.61
  • Sewerage Access Charge = $137.07
  • Tier Consumption Charges = $41.93
  • State Bulk Water Charge = $225.36
Total charges = $484.97