Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Answers to Questions Water Billing WATER BILLING The Hon. J.A. DARLEY Legislative Council WATER BILLING In reply to the Hon. J.A. DARLEY (25 September 2008). The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY Legislative Council Minister for Mineral Resources Development Minister for Urban Development and Planning Minister for Small Business WATER BILLING The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business): The Minister for Watery Security has provided the following information: 1.	$0.9 million annually. 2.	While options other than quarterly meter reading have been canvassed within SA Water, these options, including a minor software programming amendment to 'estimate' quarterly water use were not considered appropriate. While this option would have involved only a small one off programming cost it would not provide our customers the assurance many expect that their bills reflect their consumption. Estimates of water use are sometimes used currently when necessitated by meter and meter reading issues but they are not popular and are the source of significant customer concerns. Moreover, quarterly meter reading provides customers with more timely and accurate usage information. This is considered desirable to reinforce the pricing signal inherent in water use charges and necessary to reinforce responsible water use practices. Quarterly meter reading is common for other utilities and many water authorities' interstate.