For the past few months, a message at the top of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s website has advised homeowners that water bills were delayed “due to technical issues” and that “normal” payment terms would apply once the problem was fixed.

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The gremlins were in Council’s processing systems and are now gone, which means two quarters worth of bills – September’s and December’s – are on their way (or already waiting in inboxes and letterboxes).

“The systems are now fixed and we’ve been steadily working through the backlog and issuing notices to residents across the region,” a spokesperson told News Of The Area.

“We’ve allocated additional resources to meter reading and we’re expecting to be back on track by the end of March.”

According to Council’s explanation of “fees and charges”, water consumption is based on the following tariffs:

– Water consumption tier 1 = $3.98 per kilolitre

– Water consumption tier 2 = $7.96 per kilolitre

The usage charge increases when yearly consumption exceeds the set level.

The usage threshold for a 20mm service is 270kL. So, for every kilolitre up to 270kL, property owners will be charged the first tier.

Every kilolitre used over 270kL is charged at the tier 2 rate.

Council advises residents to study the Water Usage Tracker on the back of their bill to see how consumption changes each quarter.

The backdated bills will hit any resident or business that has overlooked budgeting for the delay.

This includes tenants.

The Tenants Union of NSW advises that landlords should only pass on water usage charges if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The premises are separately metered

2. The premises contain water efficiency measures (these apply to showerheads and internal cold water taps)

3. The tenant is given a copy of the bill (or other evidence) setting out the water usage charges; given not less than 21 days to pay; and that the request by the landlord is within 3 months of the issue of the bill by the water supply authority.

For more information, go to tenants.org.au/factsheet-23-utilities and pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Residents/Rates-charges/Fees-charges.

By Sue STEPHENSON