South East Queensland Bulk Water Concealed Leak Remission Scheme

On 2 August 2023 the Queensland Government announced a remission scheme to provide relief to customers facing large water bills as a result of a concealed leak on their property.

The remission scheme will help eligible customers with the financial impact of a concealed leak and help prevent them from falling into financial hardship by providing a credit on the excess state bulk water charge of 100 per cent for eligible pensioners and 70 per cent for all other eligible customers.

The Queensland Government also announced once-off debt relief for eligible customers currently financially impacted by a concealed leak.

This financial relief is on top of the remissions schemes administered by the five South East Queensland water service providers. The Queensland Government is working with Seqwater and the five water service providers in South East Queensland to implement the remission scheme and debt relief.

More information will be available on how to receive the remission and debt relief soon.

What is a concealed leak?

A concealed leak is a leak from the customer’s plumbing that is hidden from view.

A concealed leak can be difficult to notice and can create an unexpected and stressful expense – both to fix the leak and because of the excess water that flows through the water meter, which the customer will be charged for on their water bill.

Customers that have a concealed leak may be eligible for a concealed leak remission from their service provider. Your service provider’s concealed leak remission policy is on their website:

City of Gold Coast

City of Logan

Redland City Council

Urban Utilities

Unitywater

How can I check whether I have a concealed leak?

Water to your home or business is managed and billed through your local area water service provider.

Your service provider has information on their website on:

• how to check for a concealed leak
• what to do if you find a concealed leak.

It is important to check your water meter frequently. Finding and fixing a concealed leak as soon as possible will lower the impact on your water bill.

How will the scheme work?

Under the remission scheme, the Queensland Government will contribute to the concealed leak remission that eligible customers can already receive from their service provider.

The Queensland Government will contribute 70 per cent of the excess state bulk water charge associated with the concealed leak. For an eligible pensioner, 100 per cent of the excess state bulk water charge associated with the concealed leak will be remitted.

What debt relief has been announced?

Customers that have had a concealed leak, received a remission from their water service provider, and are currently financially impacted, for example on a payment plan, may be eligible to receive debt relief.

How water is billed in South East Queensland?

For more detailed information on Urban Water Prices please visit Urban water prices on the Business Queensland website.

What’s happening next?

The State Government is working with Seqwater and the five water service providers in South East Queensland to implement the remission scheme and debt relief.