Service charges explainer

Annual Service charges for CWMS, Sewer, Bore Water and residential recycled water supply in Meadows are included on the Mount Barker District Council rates notices. Annual Service Charges are raised to operate, maintain, improve and replace infrastructure in relation to providing services to customers. Service charges are reviewed and increased annually in line with the cost to deliver the service, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of GMB Water balanced with affordability for customers.

CWMS service charges are a fixed annual amount payable and relate to collection and transport of septic tank effluent through the pipe network, treatment of effluent at one of our treatment facilities, and recycling or disposal of treated water. In addition for CWMS customers this service charge covers a septic tank desludge at their property every five years.

Sewer service charges are a fixed annual amount payable and relate to the cost of delivering sewerage services to a property including collection and transport of sewerage through the pipe network, treatment of sewerage at one of our treatment facilities, and recycling or disposal of treated water.

Residential recycled water customers in Meadows pay an annual service charge for connection to the recycled water scheme through their rates notice and also receive recycled water invoices every 6 months for recycled water used – explained further below. In addition the annual service charge covers the audit we are required, by the Office of the Technical Regulator, to undertake of your property every 5 years to ensure independence of the rain water and any alternative water systems and the recycled water supply.

Residential bore water customers in Meadows pay a fixed annual service charge which relates to the cost of delivering the bore water service including pumping and distribution through the pipe network.

For properties without service connections but where there is GMB Water infrastructure, either domestic recycled water or sewerage (CMWS or sewer), adjacent to the property, the Local Government Act 1999 (SA) allows us to recover a “service availability charge” which you are required to pay whether you are connected to the infrastructure or not.

2024/25 was the first year of transitioning to a single district wide wastewater service charge for both CWMS and Sewer customers. This change reflects the narrowing of the difference in services provided and more truly reflects the income required to sustainably run GMB Water and meet the increasing expectations of our customers and the community. The transition is smoothed over a 5 year period. This transition results in an average increase of $30 per year for CWMS customers during the period. 

The rebate to wastewater customers in the town of Brukunga for the sewer annual service charge will reduce each year for a minimum of 10 years as advised in June 2022, until equity in the sewer service charge with other ratepayers is achieved.

Residential recycled water customers in Meadows in addition to their annual service charge for connection to the recycled water scheme and also receive recycled water invoices every 6 months for recycled water used. The invoices for recycled water used are based on the volume of recycled water used which is measured through a flow meter at the property. Meters are read by the GMB Water team every 6 months.

Non-residential recycled water customers all have a contract for provision of these services which sets out their fees and charges and limits on take of recycled water. Non-residential recycled water charges relate to the cost of delivering a recycled water scheme to supply these customers including construction and renewal of infrastructure, pumping and other recycled water transportation costs including storage of recycled water for times where demand exceeds production.

Usage charges are reviewed annually and increased to ensure cost recovery and financial sustainability of GMB Water.

Infrastructure fees are charged for new connections to GMB Water’s wastewater networks. For a simple connection for a single property a standard fee, as published in our fees and charges, is applicable.

For large developments we enter into infrastructure deeds or agreements with developers. For more information on fees associated with these please contact us on 08 8188 9300 or customerservice@gmbwater.au or through our contact form below. 

Infrastructure fees, including augmentation fees, are based on growth projections and ultimately pay for the delivery, and interest associated with borrowings, of intergenerational projects required to service growth over the long term.

For new residential customers in Meadows who wish to connect to the recycled water scheme, where it is available, a cross-connection audit is required prior to the recycled water service being able to be used. This cross-connection audit is undertaken at our cost by a local plumber.

Trade waste is any used water and substances from commercial, industrial, business trade or manufacturing activities that are discharged to our sewerage system for removal and treatment. We accept trade waste into our sewerage system wherever possible, but to discharge trade waste, you must have authorisation and comply with the authorisation conditions. Full details about trade waste including authorisation applications, and fees and charges, are available here.