Strata Water Solutions

Frequently asked questions

Q1)  We have taps supplying the common ground. How is this managed?

There are 2 options available

Option 1) After reading all the sub meters, the left over amount is classified as “common ground” and is split equally amongst each unit and incorporated in their bill

Option 2) The left over is billed as a separate account to the Strata/Community Corporation

Q2) I am in a maisonnette. My neighbor and I are in dispute over water usage. I want a sub meter of my own to measure my usage only.

You can get a meter of your own but be aware –
(1) SAWater do not read the meter
(2) It must be with the approval of the other unit owner.
(3) If you require the services of Strata Water Solutions to read the meter and apportion the SAWater account based on the individual usage then the other owner must also be part of the agreement (agreeing to the quarterly charge).

The SAWater meter supplies both properties. It may be on your property but that is irrelevant.

One sub meter may suffice however it is recommended that 2 sub meters are installed. Why?

The SAWater meter can “double up” as the second meter but there are potential pitfalls. What if the new sub meter slows down? What if the SAWater meter slows down ? What happens if there is a leakage on the common ground or between units?

With 2 individual sub meters, total usage can be balanced back to the SAWater usage. There is no discrepancy.

Q3)  How do we know if the meters are accurate?

It is really only after information has been collected for say two quarterly reads that inaccuracies can be identified. The sum of the sub meters should equal the usage registered on the SAWater meter. Obviously if there are common ground taps then there will be a variation but it should be accountable. The meters can register slow. They cannot register fast.

Q4)  Why am I receiving an account from Strata Water Solutions, I already pay SAWater!

The account from SAWater will have NO WATER USAGE included

The SAWater account is for SUPPLY CHARGES (Water & Sewer) and the RIVER MURRAY LEVY

The account from Strata Water Solutions is for WATER USED and does not include the above

Q5)  What advantage is there in paying these annual fees to your Company to read and manage the SAWater accounts. I may not recover this cost for many years!

Firstly, Its not just about cost recovery. Its about paying for the water you use.

If the property is vacant for 3 months your usage account will be “zero”!

Strata Water Solutions is independent and reads the meters in accordance with the SAWater schedule.

The individual accounts are detailed and itemized.

A summary “Corporate Report” is sent to the Presiding Officer together with a copy of the SAWater account.

Q6)  The account payment options are limited.

The payment options are
(1) BPay
(2) EFT/Direct Credit (from your computer)
(3) EFTPOS (Savings) – Bank charges of 1.68% apply
(4) Payment at any Commonwealth Bank for CBA Customers
(5) Cheque or Money Order.

Q7)  What happens to your accounts if I sell the property or have just moved in ?

There is a system in place. It hasn’t worked very well in the past but is improving

The Conveyancer requests a special reading of the sub meter at settlement. Monies are paid to Strata Water Solutions and credited to the purchasers account. The credit is shown on the next account.

If no such adjustment occurs the new owner will be responsible for the account. Our suggestion is that he/she refer back to the Conveyancer. It may have been adjusted at settlement (based on the SAWater readings).

Q8)  The fee of $9.00 per quarter seems cheap. Why?

Because it is cheap !

From the $9.00 the non controllable expenses are as follows -

Not included in the above is Office overheads rent, telephone, power etc

The prices are volume based. Eg more meters in one geographical area less motor vehicle costs per meter read.

Q9)  I don’t need an electronic remote reader attached to my meter. Access is always available.

No! Access is not always available. If the sub meter is to be fixed at the rear of the property or in an obscure area where access may be a problem either now or in the future then the remote electronic reader is a compulsory requirement. This avoids any issues when the meter is read quarterly.