WATER SUPPLY

In reply to the Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER (2 May 2007).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health): The Minister for Water Security has provided the following information:

Water accounts received by SA Water customers in the first part of 2007 included a charge for water use for the six months prior to the reading of their meter. Reading of the meter generally takes place two to three weeks before the bill is received.

This means a customer receiving their bill at the start of April would be billed for water use from about mid-September to mid-March.

For the 2006-07 year, this period covered an unprecedented dry winter and spring, which led to householders watering at a time of year when, in normal circumstances, they would have been able to rely on rain.

The comparative period in the 2005-06 year, included months with above average rainfall for much of the State.

This is why most customers see a difference in the comparison.