Water bills ruin growers

The push comes after farmers say water prices had “at least doubled” in the past five years.

They have led a long campaign to get the recycled water scheme extended to their properties, only to be told they would have to foot the $1 million bill.

“We’ve been pushing for recycled water for 15 years,” Penfield vegetable grower Daniel Hoffmann said. 

“When we bought the property 30 years ago, we could survive on mains water, but then there was the drought and prices went up.

“We never thought twice about the water bill 10 years ago, today we dread it.”

Mr Hoffmann said there were five farms on his street with a mains connection.

“In the area, there’s probably 15 to 20 farms on mains water, with some paying water bills of up to $45,000 a quarter,” he said.

“They’re making a fortune on our street alone, so why would they connect us?

“Farmers are having to weigh up if they can afford to continue and to feed their families. Water is everything to us.”

Mr Hoffmann pays $3.50 a kilolitre on mains water, but would pay 18 cents/kL if connected to the pipeline.

He was given the quote of $1m to extend the pipeline 10 kilometres to his property.

“Pipes are about $15 a metre – unless they’re rolling out golden pipes, I don’t know why it could be so costly.” he said.

Mr Hoffman thought extending the pipeline should cost about $5000 to $30,000, as the nearby residential areas needed to be connected.

“Since the proposal for the 20 gigalitres to be allocated to the Spanish-owned greenhouses, I think they’ve swept it under the rug and given all of our water away,” he said.

An SA Water spokesperson said the Virginia Pipeline Scheme was owned and operated by Trility.

“Under Trility’s standard commercial contract, if a new customer wishes to connect to the VPS, it is their responsibility to pay for the extension of the mains,” they said.

“The cost is based on the required infrastructure and construction of the pipeline.”