Sydney Water Prices Set to Rise from 1 July 2026
Sydney Water customers will see higher bills from the start of the new financial year, as part of the annual price update overseen by the state’s economic regulator.
Why Prices Are Changing
Sydney Water’s prices are set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), which reviews them each financial year to keep prices fair while ensuring the utility can continue delivering essential water and wastewater services. The annual update takes into account factors such as inflation and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
What It Means for Households
For a typical water and wastewater customer using around 200 kL a year โ roughly what a four-person household consumes โ annual bills will rise by about $97, or 6.7%, spread across quarterly instalments.
A Bigger Impact for Pensioners
The increase will be felt more sharply by pensioners. NSW Treasury has confirmed that pensioner rebate amounts will stay at 2025โ26 levels from 1 July 2026, meaning the rebate will cover a smaller proportion of 2026โ27 service charges.
As a result, a typical pensioner household using 100 kL of water and wastewater services a year can expect an annualised bill increase of around $73, or 16.3% โ a steeper rise than for the average household.
Support for Households Doing It Tough
Sydney Water has acknowledged that this increase, on top of broader cost-of-living pressures, will be difficult for some customers. For those experiencing payment difficulties, several support options are available:
- Flexible payment plans
- Extensions and hardship assistance
- Pension concessions for eligible cardholders
- Referrals to community support services
- Free emergency and essential plumbing repairs for eligible customers
Getting Help
Customers wanting more information or support can visit the Sydney Water website or call Sydney Water on 13 20 92, 8amโ5:30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
