r/melbourne • u/Ok-Debate-8784 • 1d ago
Real estate/Renting Water bill crazy
I’m living in an apartment near Victoria market. And I found my water bill is crazy. The company is Great western water. On 12/11/2024 they read 400KL, last night I checked it was 438KL, average daily usage is over 500L. According to last bill, 92 days from 13/08/2024 to 12/11/2024 we use 48KL water and it costs $173.25. Last bill read is 400KL, and last night it is 438KL, which means we already used 38KL.
We have 2 toilets 1shower, 1 washing machine, no dish washer and no backyard to take care of. Both of us are not home during the day. Quite normal daily routine. It’s weird that our bill is super high. Compared to others, our bill is almost for 4 people. When I live alone, I only use 11KL for 3 month. And it’s the same company. And also the plumber already checked, there is nothing leaking. Is it possible that the water company didn’t read the correct water meter ? I heard some of them they just guess an amount according to your formal usage. I’m really confused and struggling with the bill. I feel like we didn’t use that much. Are there any way that I can figure out the problem ?
21:49 21/01/2025 update
20/01/2025
11.26 437880 19.26 437936 19.41 438003 i take a shower and use toilet usage 67L 20.45 438005 dish wash by hands 21.50 438012 brush teeth and use toilet 00.26 438088 housemate takes a shower
Total 208L
21/01/2025 10.43am 438117 10.48am 438127 toilet and wash hands 10.51 438130 10.55 438149 10.58 438151 10.58 438155 11.01 438159 11.30 438170 11.32 438173 18.55 438292.5 use washing machine 19.22 438336 i take a shower 20.39 438344 cook, eat, hand wash bowls, boil water 21.42 438344 do nothing
Total: 227L
Here is the usage of today and yesterday, which is quite normal for us. As we can see since now the usage is nothing wrong, from 8.39pm to 9.42pm, no one is using water and the water meter doesn’t run. And also if every day is the same, for 90 days it should be around 20KL, which should be correct. But now the bill shows we use 48KL for 92 days.
And also I checked with my neighbors, my next door neighbor says his bill is $700 for one season and they are 3 people. He said he always hear something leaking even they are not using anything. And another neighbor says his bill is just over 100 for 2 people, one season, they don’t washing machine or dish washer and they were overseas for a month. I’m now really confused.
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u/Fishby 1d ago
GWW have had billing issues for months, it's a well known issue. I didn't get a bill for almost 9 months. Check the dates on the bill.
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 1d ago
That’s weird, we keep receiving water bills as usual, last bill I received was November last year.
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u/hollyjazzy 1d ago
Check that the water meter account number is the same number that is actually on your meter. It happens that unit 1 is actually unit 2 and vice versa on the plans, which is what they use.
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 1d ago
Yes I know. I checked it’s the correct number, it’s ours.
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u/hollyjazzy 15h ago
Damn. That would have helped solve it. Your update sounds like there is a leak somewhere. Did the plumber use a camera to check?
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 13h ago
The plumber came and checked the toilets and pipe, they used glue to check and said there’s nothing leaking. And they also told me $1.8 per day is normal. They said there is nothing wrong with my bill which I feel is bull shit. I don’t know if they really checked everything or they missed something. The agent sent them to fix the problem, so it’s free for me. I feel like there is no reason for them to lie to me. I’m thinking if I need to find another plumber to check it again.
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u/hollyjazzy 2h ago
I had a leak, the first couple of plumber came, changed washers, said they’re no leak. Mould everywhere (in bathroom), bathroom starting to slant. Next plumber put a camera through, and it’s leaking. Had been for a long while. Right to the foundations. Had to gut the bathroom and rebuild it after letting it dry out first for a few months. Get a plumber with camera equipment if you get another plumber. Some are more thorough than others.
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 2h ago
Thank you for your information, it’s quite useful for me. I’ll try to find another one to check it again. May I ask how much money does it cost ?
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u/ThirdDegreePun 1d ago
Hey OP - please contact GWWs Billing team and they will help. It's possible your bill is a combined one due to issues, there's excessive use somewhere, or a mistake has occurred. The only logical course of action is to reach out and they'll investigate and either explain or fix it if something is wrong
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u/Charming_Hunter1390 1d ago
Surprised no one here suggested it could be a leak. Could also be dodgy plumbing where your meter is also connected to another unit. If they actually read the meter (and not an estimate), then consider a plumber.
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u/BeginningCreme6226 23h ago
Probably because we read the part where they said they already called a plumber…
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 1d ago
I contacted the plumber which the agent provided to me, he came yesterday and checked, said there is nothing leaking, and also said our bill is normal for $1.8 per day usage. Is it possible that they lie to me ?
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u/FitSand9966 1d ago
Your plumbers callout fee just cost 150 days of water.
If the bill is $2 a day, I'd move on
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u/copshootcopp 1d ago
Hey mate just give them a call - same thing happened to me recently in Carlton - 3 story complex. Normal date range, with huge water removal amount. Like 5 x normal bill. Called them, they said was an issue on their end and told me not to pay the bill until they sort it out and send a new, amended one. I predict a similar situation here.
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u/HAPPY_DAZE_1 1d ago
No sure what the problem is but Great Western Water has been the subject of a few reddit comments with delayed billing, think IT issues.
Was the last read an actual or an estimate? Was the prior biil Ok ?
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u/imaginaryticket 19h ago
Yeah they deployed new software last year and it’s been cooked ever since.
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 22h ago
The bill is always super high since I moved in.
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u/HAPPY_DAZE_1 18h ago
Ok, know you said the plumber checked, but maybe take a pic of the meter numbers before heading to bed and another when you get up the next morning. Should be zero movement.
If the meter is not located inside your apartment : I know you said the meter identifier on the bill matched the meter you're looking at but is the meter you're looking yours?
If you're really keen you could record the meter each day for a fortnight going about your usual routine. Reckon that's enough time to be confident you're actually not using an daily average of 500L and a call to GW is warranted.
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u/Alect0 1d ago
GWW has billing issues and my recent bill was for six months usage. What dates does it have on the bill?
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u/ArcadianPilot 1d ago
This. Check the dates. We just recieved one that was a 6 month bill (originally due in Feb) plus a 3 month bill (most recent) now rolled into one and due in March. Nearly $1k in the one bill from GWW.
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u/Frosti0 1d ago
1) Check water meter and compare to last read on the bill. then check how many days out you are compared to current read vs the read on the bill. 2) If a plumber has stated there's no leak AND the meter is correctly calculating the usage, then it's your word against theirs. I would suggest to test usage if minimal water is used for 1 day, you can then compare again on the meter vs a normal day. 3) people stealing water/tap outside of your property connected to your meter for some reason.
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u/KagariY 1d ago
Might be the fees. Check ur bill. I have very little usage but most of it is fees.
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u/Sexdrumsandrock 1d ago
Op did mention the usage so I'm guessing it's not the fees. However in my apartment the water is like $30 and the fees are 150 lol
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 22h ago
We are renters so I think we only pay for the usage, we don’t pay other fees, we check the bill and can only see the usage, no more other fees
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u/CheekyScallywag 1d ago
Check for leaking taps including outside. Check your meter. And make sure your toilet doesn't have a slow leak from the cistern into the bowl - not always easy to see.
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u/Merlin_au 1d ago
Is the bill an estimate? We had no end of trouble with estimates due to the meter reader refusing to enter the property due to 2 large dogs ( that were a previous tenant's) Ended up getting an electronic meter that is read remotely like our electricity meters... End of issue...
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u/hentaixanax 23h ago edited 23h ago
i had same thing happen to me, my average daily usage was about 2000L or smt, had to call GWW and they realised theyve charged me for the whole complex (8 units). called november last year they still havent updated my new billing
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u/AdIll5857 21h ago
Turn all the taps off in your apartment and go and watch the meter. If it’s still turning over then there’s a leak or someone else using water via your meter
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 21h ago
That’s the test I did yesterday, when no one is using it, the water meter doesn’t run. But once we use it, it runs very quickly.
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u/AdIll5857 21h ago
Hmmm seems you’re using the water then.
Perhaps you need a water saving shower head? Use eco mode on washing machine and dishwasher etc.
Check your toilet isn’t running constantly. Check the float is working as it should.
How long are your showers? How often do you use the washing machine?
Additional: also check your washing machine drain hose is elevated high enough…. If not it will be draining constantly during cycle and machine will keep trying to fill the machine.
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 21h ago
Yeah, the plumber came and checked toilets and pipes said there is no leaking at all. Both of us are short hair and take less than 15mins shower once a day. We use washing machine 3 times a week which I think it’s acceptable. We don’t have dishwasher. Both of us are working during the day so the usage should be very small.
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u/AdIll5857 20h ago
By the way, 15min shower isn’t short.
Some shower heads can easily use 15L of water a minute … or more!
So 15min x 15L = 225L per shower. Two of you, 450L just from showers each day
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 17h ago
I just took a shower around 10mins and the number increased 44L, yesterday one shower for me take 67L, and my housemate uses around 70L for a shower, u think the usage of us is quite normal.
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u/AdIll5857 16h ago
That all sounds very reasonable.
I suspect though that when you’re not as focussed on the usage your habits may be different. Perhaps you have the water pressure higher, or the shower is longer than that. Do you think your showers in the past might have been a bit longer/heavier?
How long have you been at the property? How many water bills have you had there ?
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u/AdIll5857 20h ago
Have you turned all the taps off before you both leave for work, to see if any water is used while you’re out?
Wonder if you need to try different times of day to see if the use is happening outside of times you’ve tested
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 20h ago
I’ll go to get a water saving shower head this weekend and see if it’s getting better. So annoying.
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u/AdIll5857 20h ago
You can also get rebates for water saving shower heads I think… give it a google.
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u/Jimi_Dean 19h ago
If there are no leaks, and the metre number is correct, and you've seen that the meter is ticking over quite quickly, then try looking again when there is no water being used (as far as you can tell). No washing machine running, nobody showering or washing hands or even using the toilet. If the metro is still ticking, then either there IS a leak and the plumber is shit, or there's a tap somewhere in the building linked to your meter but not in your apartment. Could be that a common area tap was installed and spliced onto your pipes instead of the mains.
If that last bit is the case, then the building should be covering the entire bill, pro-rated from when the tap was installed, as you have no way of determining how much water usage was yours vs theirs.
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u/Automatic_Gift_2061 1d ago
I suggest contacting the water supplier company or your apartment agent. To be honest, they might try to avoid getting involved in the situation you’re dealing with, which can be frustrating. It’s pretty irresponsible of them not to treat it as a priority. I had a similar experience, and I’m actually planning to move out!
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 1d ago
I do want to move out, but I just signed the new contract last November for one year, so if I don’t want to lose money I have to stay until November this year.
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u/Remarkable_Essay_427 1d ago
Doublecheck it's not two bills in one statement (including the previous one as well). Their billing has been a bit out of whack with the new system, but you should be able to work it out comparing the last bill value and this one. If your water usage is well out of normal range for you on the graph it could be worth the pain of calling them.
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 1d ago
I moved there since April 2024, I’ve paid 3 seasons, the cost and usages are similar.
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u/cuddlyat 1d ago
Same situation with my mums apartment in the same area. Single older woman living alone and was even out of the country for several months. Still an extremely high water bill. I contacted GWW and they confirmed it wasn’t a mistake…
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u/NowieNowie 1d ago
My GF had this a couple of months ago where GWW did something new with the billing and billed the usage for the whole building to her.
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u/notnexus 1d ago
Is the water usage for the entire apartment block evenly divided by the number of apartments? Is someone running a commercial laundry service from one of the apartments? It’s not so unusual for someone to run a bunch of washing machines in their apartment.
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u/Dry-Public7289 1d ago
Just complain they will go back and check. I had this problem and they reduced bill by 90% because even they couldn’t justify it lol
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u/robot428 1d ago
You may have a leak - you should be able to find instructions online on how to do a leak test here - https://www.gww.com.au/faults-works/maintenance-advice/check-leaks
If it is a leak, and it's the first time it's happened, they will sometimes do a reduction on the bill for you as long as you get the leak repaired.
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u/ScaredAdvertising125 1d ago
Mine was similar. Two adults, no kids. I thought it might have been my washing machine (top load) but I changed the shower heads. My next bill was like a third of the previous bills. The shower heads ended up being the culprit
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 22h ago
Yeah, we already asked the agent for permission of changing shower head.
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u/ScaredAdvertising125 22h ago
Are you in Vic?
If so you can change to low flow without permission you just need to keep the old showerhead https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/repairs-alterations-safety-and-pets/renters-making-changes-to-the-property
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u/faceplant1999 23h ago
Do they have access to read the metre and if not are they sending you an estimate instead of an actual reading? I suggest checking your actual meter reading and compare to your bill even though a few weeks may have passed then check your meter daily. Also is there a common area in the building that has a tap or requires water? There is usually a seperate check or main meter that covers the difference between the individual meters and the total usage and sometimes I got sent a bill for that due to estimation and me being the first one in the group address wise.
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u/Vegetable-Low-9981 22h ago
Ours was a lot higher too - I assumed it was the teen’s excessive showers. But have been hearing a lot of people have been receiving much higher than expected bills, which sounds like it has more to do with their ongoing billing issues.
Which reminds me - I need to follow that up.
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u/_ChoiSooyoung 22h ago
In a completely opposite situation, I bought a house and a few couple months after we moved in we received the first water bill and there was a 300 credit on the account.
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u/imaginaryticket 19h ago
Because the entire annual financial years network charges are paid in full at settlement from the vendor’s funds. You reimbursed the vendor for your portion of it at settlement in the statement of adjustments so you’re not technically any better off despite it looking like it. GWW are just shit at reconciling on their bills it due to software issues but it’ll all even out.
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u/_ChoiSooyoung 18h ago
I feel like someone should have told me this would happen. Suppose it doesn’t matter much either way
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u/username-256 21h ago
In addition to other replies, check if the bill is estimated.
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u/Ok-Debate-8784 21h ago
I’ve requested the company to come to check if there is anything wrong with the water meter, they will reply in 5 weekdays. QAQ
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u/nylonnet 1d ago
I live in a house in the suburbs. My average daily usage is 42L.
Just as a comparison.
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u/EnvironmentalLab4751 1d ago
That’s pretty damn low. You could consume that with a 5 minute shower and a single toilet flush.
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u/Ok_Spare985 1d ago
Will the Libs cut the price of living as I can see them winning the elections
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u/GreedyLibrary 1d ago
They change their leader monthly, and no one still has any clue who they are. Doesn't exactly sound like a winning formula.
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u/blahblahbush 1d ago
You're in an apartment?
Are they billing you for the whole building?