Knowledge Hub
FAQs
FAQs
Engagement process
- How can I participate and have my say?
You can participate by registering to have your say on the project website.
Once registered, you'll have the opportunity over the coming months to share your experiences, expectations, needs, and values regarding water and sewerage services in Tasmania.
We will be in contact in the week commencing 6 May with the first opportunity to provide feedback so keep an eye on your inbox!
- Are you really going to listen to us?
Yes. If you would like to share your opinion, we want to hear from you.
Every four years, we submit a detailed plan to the Tasmanian Economic Regulator, which sets out the services we will deliver to customers and the price each of us pays in return.
Our next plan is due to be submitted on 1 July 2025, and we want to make sure it reflects what our customers and community value and expect from us.
We know not all the feedback and comments will be positive but to ensure our next price and service plan reflects what customers expect, we need to hear all opinions.
Make sure you complete the registration form https://yoursay.taswater.com.au/shaping-tasmanias-...
- Why do we need to register and give our details?
The questions in the registration form are designed to make sure our engagement is representative of the Tasmanian population.
You do have the option to select ‘prefer not to say’ to all but the age question, as this is a requirement for the grocery voucher giveaway.
The information collected will only be used for the purposes of engagement and research.
- What is the purpose of the project?
We want to hear from as many Tasmanians as possible so we can create a new plan for water and sewerage services in the state, finding the balance between price and service that is fair for all Tasmanians.
- What is the timeline for the project?
The 'Shaping Tasmania's Water Future' project will result in us submitting a detailed Pricing and Service Plan to the Tasmanian Economic Regulator on 1 July 2025.
In the months leading up to this deadline, we will be actively working with the community to gather input and feedback.
You can find a roadmap of our engagement plan here - Strategic Engagement Plan
FAQ
Price and service
- Why is the cost of water so expensive when it falls from the sky?
Current
The balance of your TasWater bill currently includes the variable water usage charge (the amount of water your household uses) and a fixed daily charge (the cost of providing treated water and infrastructure maintenance).
Fixed water charges are the annual cost of providing water services to a property. This allows us to maintain and upgrade the network.
Variable water charges are for water supply costs and the current cost of water in Tasmania is $1.17 per 1000 litres. The Australia average cost of water is $2.78 per 1000 litres.
Future
We want to find the balance of price and service that is fair for all Tasmanians.
Part of the conversation we will be having over the next few months will involve reviewing our tarriff and pricing structure.
We want to explore possible changes to the fixed and variable charges that make up the bill and seek direct input from all Tasmanians on this.Further Reading
- Why do I pay for pipes that run past my house when we're not connected?
To make sure that we can service and supply all properties in the serviced area, we must invest in maintaining pipes, pumps and running the treatment plants.
We are required by law to connect and supply properties within ten business days that meet our Connections Policy.
There are significant public health and environmental benefits associated with piped, tested drinking water and sewage removal and treatment, and an associated increase in property values from the provision of these services.
Our policy ensures the sharing of cost between properties that use our services now, and properties that may use our services in the future.
If we didn’t do this, then properties that are connecting now would carry the burden of those that aren’t currently connected.
Properties within serviced land also benefit from being valued more highly because of the availability of the service.
Further Reading
Find Out More:
Water treatment and taste
FAQ
Water treatment and taste
- Why is fluoride used in our water?
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water and foods like tea, fish, and rice, and it supports dental health by preventing damage and decay when at the right levels.
Water fluoridation, adding fluoride to the water supply, is a standard practice for promoting oral health mandated by the Department of Health’s Fluoridation Act (1968).
For any questions about fluoride, you can contact the Department of Health
Further Reading
- Why is chlorine used in our water?
The taste of chlorine in the water is temporary and part of our routine disinfection process to ensure your safety.
If the taste is not to your liking, we recommend leaving a jug of water open in the fridge overnight.
Chlorine is a widely used disinfectant for drinking water supplies. Chlorine is used to kill any harmful micro-organisms including bacteria, viruses and parasites.
Further Reading
FAQ
Brand and marketing
- Why have you spent money on changing TasWater's logo and brand?
We've updated our brand to reflect our commitment to accessibility and serving Tasmania better.
Changes include our logo, colours, and font, making them clearer and more visible for everyone.
This refresh is fully funded within existing budgets, won't affect your bills, and is environmentally friendly, minimising waste by integrating changes into natural replacement cycles.
Further Reading
- Why are you spending money on advertising this project?
We want to involve as many Tasmanians as possible in this process, to do this, we need to make sure our invitation reaches everyone.
Not just our current bill paying customers, but all Tasmanian water users.
FAQ
Survey/Data
- Why do we need to register and give our details for the survey?
The questions are designed to make sure our engagement is representative of the Tasmanian population.
People have the option to select ‘prefer not to say’ to all but the age question, which is a requirement for the grocery voucher giveaway and to help ensure we have a representative sample of the Tasmanian population.
- Are you really going to listen to us?
Yes. If you would like to share your opinion, we want to hear from you.
Every four years, we submit a detailed plan to the Tasmanian Economic Regulator, which sets out the services we will deliver to customers and the price each of us pays in return.
Our next plan is due to be submitted on 1 July 2025, and we want to make sure it reflects what our customers and community value and expect from us.
We know not all the feedback and comments will be positive but to ensure our next price and service plan reflects what customers expect, we need to hear all opinions.
Make sure you complete the registration form https://yoursay.taswater.com.au/
Water Restrictions
FAQ
Water Restrictions
- Why do we have to pay when we're on water restrictions?
Even when water restrictions are in place, the amount our customers are billed is dependent on the water they use and fixed charges which cover the cost of servicing the supply.
This doesn't change even when water restrictions are in place to encourage or prohibit customers from using too much water.
What are Water Restrictions?
Water Restrictions occur due to multiple factors. These can include: low rainfall; too much rainfall in a short period of time; demand on water supply; drought.
Some towns may need to be placed on water restrictions because of different factors to other towns. Each of Tasmania's water catchment areas and water supply is unique, and a dedicated team monitor the 70 zones to make sure supply can meet needs.
Stage 1 restrictions aim to reduce non-essential water by 20 per cent.
Stage 2 restrictions include allocated watering days and aim to further reduce non-essential use of water, to ensure water is available to residents, visitors, and businesses.
Using less water during this period will reduce your quarterly water usage charge.
Further Reading
Infrastructure investment
FAQ
Infrastructure investment
- What is TasWater doing to improve leaks across the network?
We have doubled our investment in our renewals program to fix leaks. This includes repairs and upgrades to focus on reducing lost water.
We are working hard on our District Metered Area project, which will be completed mid-year.
We are investing $1.5bn into our capital works program over the next five years to upgrade, replace and rationalise infrastructure across the network.
Further Reading
Ask a question
Have you got a question about this project? Write to us below and one of our team will get back to you.
To ask a question you must create an account or log in.
These are the people that are listening and responding to your questions.
Sam P
Insights Team
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