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If you have had a concealed leak on your commercial property that has caused a sudden increase in your bill, you may be eligible for a Sewerage Usage Allowance. 

Good to know

Some commercial customers may now be eligible for a water usage allowance following a concealed leak.

Under Unitywater’s updated Concealed Leak Allowance Policy, small non-residential customers (typically using less than 100kL per year) may qualify for an allowance on both excess water usage and sewerage usage charges.

Customers who do not meet the small business criteria may still be eligible for an adjustment to their sewerage usage charges only.

To check your eligibility and understand how Unitywater calculates allowances, please refer to our Concealed Leak Allowance Policy (PDF).

Understand the charges on your bill

Sewerage Usage Allowance explained

The sewerage usage allowance for commercial customers is:

  • a credit on the account of 100% of the excess sewerage usage charge, over and above the property average
  • adjusted over a maximum of 2 billing quarters, including the period in which the leak was repaired. If the leak was not repaired promptly, the adjustment applies to the period in which you were notified of the leak.

Please note: sewerage usage allowances are applied to concealed leaks only, as defined by our Concealed Leaks Policy (PDF 173KB), not leaks from:

  • leaking taps, toilet cisterns, hot-water systems or other water appliances
  • faulty plumbing or human error resulting in the filling of a rainwater tank
  • swimming pools, spas, or their related fittings. 

If you have a shared meter (tenanted units), your rebate will be calculated just like your bills: as a percentage of your overall usage.

More information about understanding your bill

How to apply

If you’ve had a concealed leak and believe you may be eligible, you can now apply online.

Complete our Concealed Leak Allowance request form and upload either:

  • A plumber’s invoice confirming the leak and repair, or
  • A signed Statutory Declaration describing the leak and its repair.

Once submitted:

  • You’ll receive confirmation we’ve received your application
  • Our Metering Team will review your request
  • You’ll be advised in writing of the outcome

Make sure all required documents are submitted to avoid delays. 

Please complete and submit the form below, including the plumber's invoice or a Statutory Declaration (PDF 108KB) detailing the repair of the leak:

Concealed Leak Allowance request form

Handy links

Is your bill higher than normal?Concealed Leaks Policy PDFManage your water costsStop problems occurring
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