Water charges are a turn off

By Paul Dunlop
ANGRY farmers say they’re being asked to pay too much money to use Lang Lang’s newly reopened water bore.
South East Water recently made almost 100 million litres of groundwater available for immediate drought relief and has begun delivering supplies direct to local properties.
The move responded to calls in the community and was meant to meet increasing demand for water as the Big Dry continues.
But Cardinia Shire councillor and farmer Doug Hamilton said the water authority wanted farmers to pay one cent per litre to collect from the bore, or up to $400 for a tankerload delivery.
Cr Hamilton said this was more than double the amount currently charged by contractors supplying potable water.
“It’s just an absolute ripoff. They’re tapping into something that’s already there and they’re charging through the nose for it. You can’t even drink it,” Cr Hamilton said.
“Nobody is going to pay to get water from the bore when they can get potable water for less than half the price.”
Cr Hamilton said South East Water was sending the wrong message to the community.
But South East Water media relations manager Luke Enright said the water authority was not looking to profit, but to simply cover costs.
“We have made groundwater available to businesses, councils and sporting clubs for immediate drought relief,” he said.
“This is not a profit making exercise. The price we are charging customers is largely the cost of transport and covering our costs associated with the infrastructure needed to operate the bore.
Mr Enright said the company had already invested well over $100,000 plus its ongoing operation costs.
“We already have a number of customers who are using the groundwater which is providing welcome relief from the ongoing dry conditions,” he said.