Prices and charges explained
Greater Western Water (GWW) is now the water corporation for Melbourne's CBD and western region.
Greater Western Water formed in 2021 by bringing together Western Water and City West Water.
The Victorian Essential Services Commission (ESC) regulates the prices we charge.
Our current prices and charges are based on the price submission determination approved by the ESC for Greater Western Water in June 2024.
For more information visit our Price submission page or the Essential Services Commission website.
Aligning prices across our service area
We want all our customers to experience a similar level of service at a fair and similar price.
To bring our prices closer together, price adjustments were approved by the ESC in the two years leading into our 2024 price submission, and we have engaged with customers on how to best align our prices in the future.
We are working to have a single set of prices and charges for all our customers by simplifying tariff structures and transitioning prices across our service area over time.
In the meantime, we will maintain distinct central and western pricing zones.
What your bills pay for
Your payments contribute to so much more than just the safe, reliable drinking water that comes out of your tap. You’re also helping to pay for the continual upgrade and development of the infrastructure we need to treat and supply water for our growing communities.
Your payments also contribute to:
- the collection, treatment, re-use and disposal of billions of litres of sewage and wastewater
- the delivery and maintenance of thousands of kilometres of water and sewer pipes
- customer service, cyber security and new sustainable technologies
- community support programs and maintaining waterways, local parks and green spaces.
Water supply 24%
Part of your bill goes towards distributing water to all of the homes, schools and businesses across our service area.
Infrastructure 24%
We’re continually upgrading and building essential infrastructure, including treatment plants and thousands of kilometres of pipes.
Operating costs 22%
Everyday operations like 24/7 emergency repairs, customer service support and maintaining local waterways, parks and green spaces.
Wastewater services 13%
We remove, treat and dispose of wastewater from your home. This includes what you flush down the toilet to what goes down the kitchen sink, ensuring it’s treated responsibly to protect public health and the environment.
Waterways and drainage charge 10%
We collect this charge for Melbourne Water who use it to manage stormwater, protect and prepare the community when it floods and maintain and improve the rivers, creeks and estuaries in our region.
Parks charge 7%
We collect the parks charge from property owners for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, to help them maintain Melbourne’s iconic parks, trails, zoos and waterways and the Shrine of Remembrance. This is only charged to properties in the Melbourne metropolitan area.