Why Does this Matter?
Water is an essential and basic human right. Yet not all South Australians have reliable access to safe and affordable drinking water.
Some South Australians are paying more for the provision of safe drinking water than others, and often those who are being obliged to pay more can least afford it, especially in remote communities.
While SA Water provides drinking water for a large majority of the state, approximately 4000 people are serviced by a mix of local councils, private providers or have developed a self-sufficient supply structure.
Significantly, this includes Aboriginal people living in remote communities who already have poor health outcomes, exacerbated by a lack of access to safe and secure water. Those parts of SA not covered by the SA Water network should be able to access the same basic level of service for the same price.
What does SACOSS Want?
Water security for South Australians in regional and remote areas
Access to safe, secure, reliable and affordable water and sanitation services is critical to health and wellbeing. SACOSS calls for the development of and commitment to basic standards of water provision for everyone – regardless of where they are in the state.
Reliable access to safe drinking water at a price that is the same for all South Australians
No-one should pay more for an essential service because of where they live. Pricing controls should ensure that South Australians everywhere pay the same for water as those in metropolitan areas.
SA Water expenditure directed by the Minister should be public and transparent
Investment is required to ensure SA Water provides appropriate level of services and support in its provision of an essential service. However, Government expenditure decisions must be transparent and provided with clear rationale – not ‘hidden’ in customers’ bills. Where possible, major infrastructure costs should be funded out of general tax revenue rather than recovered through water bills.

Engaging for the best water outcomes for all South Australians
SACOSS keeps appraised of all the developments in the way water is managed by government and SA Water. We represent the interests of people experiencing disadvantage by meeting with the relevant parties and writing regular submissions, including an extensive annual briefing to the Minister.
Consumer Advocacy and Research Fund
SACOSS also supports the Department for Environment and Water in funding community groups under the Consumer Advocacy and Research Fund (CARF) for projects that:
- promote the interests of regional and low-income water consumers as well as water consumers with a disability
- Advance the interests of water consumers from an advocacy perspective.
Project Title XYZ

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