Householders are set to pay an extra $91 a year on average for their water and sewerage in the ACT after the regulator approved a higher-than-expected price hike.
Typical residential water customers will face a price rise of 6.3 per cent on their water bills, while commercial customers will pay between 6 and 6.8 per cent more in 2026-27.
But the increase is lower than the approved hike last year, which added $102 to water and sewerage bills for the typical household customer.
The Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission said the increase was slightly higher than the 6.1 per cent hike previously forecast and had been driven by the cost of new regulations, higher inflation and financing costs.
"We also recognise that increases in utility bills can place pressure on households and businesses, particularly in the current cost-of-living environment. Customers experiencing difficulty should contact Icon Water to discuss the support options available," senior commissioner Richard Owens said.
Eligible concession card holders in the ACT can apply for an electricity, gas and water rebate to have $800 taken off their bill each year.
The cost of a kilolitre of water for customers who use less than 200 kilolitres a year will rise 5.8 per cent to $2.94.
The commission said the typical residential water customer uses 200 kilolitres a year and would pay $1531 in 2026-27, up from a bill of $1440 in 2025-26.
Large water users, drawing more than 200 kilolitres a year, will pay $5.91 a kilolitre.
The water supply charge will rise $14.80 to $258.27, while the sewerage supply charge and fixtures charge would both rise by 6.9 per cent.
Icon Water has been cleared to spend $3.7 million on introducing individual water metering in new multi-unit developments by 2028, meaning individual units would be able to pay clearly for their own water use.
"The commission has also approved an update to the precinct charge and precinct map used to calculate infrastructure charges for new developments. The precinct charge for 2026-27 will decrease to $920, down from $961 in 2025-26," the commission said.
