By Victoria Stone-Meadows
South East Water has launched a new project that will allow water customers from all over the South East have a say in how their water is charged in the future.
The new online bill simulator gives customers a chance to have a say in what initiatives and services the water company pursues and at what costs.
Customers of South East Water can log into the bill simulator online and tell the company what services they are or are not willing to pay for as part of their regular water bills.
The simulated bills will not affect current water bills, but will form part of a new billing direction for South East Water from 2018 to 2023.
The new bill simulator forms part of wider customer services reforms within the company that has included surveys, focus groups, online forums, and social media engagement.
The results from these initiatives show that South East Water customers are happy to pay more on their bills for environmental initiatives, support for customers struggling to pay, and fault response times.
Data collected through the bill simulator as of 5 June shows some emerging trends among South East Water customers:
* 30 per cent people would pay an extra $2.50 or more to assist South East Water in achieving next zero carbon emissions by 2025 or sooner.
* A third of customers are prepared to pay $6 or more for technology to alert them about water leaks or unusually high water use and provide access to real time water use information.
* One in five people would pay an extra $2 or more to increase community education on water efficiency.
South East Water Acting Customer General Manager Sharon Robinson said the bill simulator would give the company a clear picture of what people want from their water supplier.
“Customers have made it clear what they value most from their water utility,” she said.
“Now they can help us direct our focus based on their willingness to pay or save on their water bills.
“The end result will be a price submission and ongoing plan that aligns to customer expectations while ensuring our water and sewerage services remain effective and affordable.”
Customers will have until 20 June to have their say via the bill simulator, however ongoing input will continue to be sought at yoursay.southeastwater.com.au.
South East Water will submit its 2018-’23 price submission to the Essential Services Commission in September.
