Govt promises better water services

Regional communities at Yunta, Oodnadatta, Maree, Terowie, Marla, and Manna Hill will have better access to drinking water with $41m in water supply upgrades over the next four years.

The upgrades will provide drinking water to nearly 350 properties across SA.

A further $7.9m will be spent to support the maintenance and replacement of water assets in Aboriginal communities.

Water main management will receive significant investment with $155 million over four years to upgrade and maintain SA's reticulated water mains network.

Water Minister David Speirs said the state government's investment in water supply upgrades would deliver better services.

"We went to the election promising better services for South Australians and our investment will see more people across the state have access to a secure supply of drinking water," he said.

"This will be life-changing for those that live in our regional communities who have long been crying out for better access to water."

The announcement comes as earlier this week the state government promised hardworking families and businesses were a step closer to enjoying water bill savings from July 1.

From July 1, an average household will save about $200 each year, while an average business will receive savings of around $1350.

In fact, some families will save significantly more - for example a household in Flinders Park with high water usage of 493 kilolitres per year and a home valued at $670,000 will save $428 next financial year.

Premier Steven Marshall said the announcement was a 'victory for consumers' after being forced to endure years of sky-rocketing water bills under the former Labor government.

"We are delivering one of the single biggest cost-of-living reductions for South Australians in recent years, which will put hundreds of dollars a year back in the pockets of hardworking families and local businesses," he said.

"This will significantly ease the burden on local household and business budgets, providing welcome economic stimulus in the wake of COVID-19 and, in many cases, will have the potential to create jobs.

"For far too long under Labor, South Australians were pouring hard-earned money down the drain every single time they turned on the tap."

The next SA Water regulatory period will apply from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2024.

In response, Shadow Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said while Mr Marshall may have been "giving with one hand" with a reduction in water bills, he was "taking so much more with the other through higher fees, charges and taxes".

"Despite Steven Marshall promising "lower costs" at the last election, he has consistently broken his promise delivering higher costs across a raft of government fees charges and taxes, impacting both households and businesses," he said.

"A nurse who saves $200 on their water bill is still paying an additional $725 per year on hospital car parking.

"A public transport commuter who saves $200 on their water bill is still paying an additional cost of up to $849 per year in fares.

"A commercial property owner which saves $1350 on its business water bill is still paying tens of thousands of dollars in higher land tax bills.

"South Australians have been whacked with a record $728m in higher fees, charges and taxes under the Marshall Liberal Government, dwarfing today's reductions to water bills."

Estimate what you will save on your water bill at sawater.com.au/savingsestimator