Rainwater tanks

I'm installing a water tank and want to apply for a rebate, but heard the State Government will use this information to eventually tax me for the use of this water. Is this true?

This myth has reached almost epic proportions. No, we are not using the rebate process to collect information on customers with water tanks so that we can tax them in future. We are also speaking with the Plumbing Industry Commission (PIC) to help educate plumbers in Melbourne that this is not true and ask for thier help in dispelling this myth.

Will water utilities be increasing water rates for those customers who apply for rebates on water saving products (e.g., mulch, rainwater tanks)?

No. The water utilities actively encourage customers to conserve water and will not penalise those doing so by imposing higher prices.

The prices charged by the utilities are regulated by the Essential Services Commission. The Commission ensures the cost of providing services is both practical and efficient.

Residential customers are currently charged water usage on a three step inclining block tariff. As the volume used by a customer increases, the price per kilolitre increases. Thus a customer who installs water saving devices benefits financially in three ways:

• Saves water and thus pays for fewer kilolitres;
  
  
• Possibly avoids moving to a higher step on the inclining block tariff and thus pays less per kilolitre;
  
  
• Receives a rebate for the water saving devices.
  

How much water does using rainwater tanks actually save?

Rainwater tanks are helping Victorians save around 1.5 billion litres of drinking water inside and outside the home in Victoria. More than 19,000 Victorian homes have installed a rainwater tank and received a water-saving rebate under a Brumby Government program. (November 2007).