From 1 July 2026, you will receive a new water bill from Selwyn Water
Currently, fixed water supply and wastewater charges are included in your Council quarterly rates bill, and you are charged for the water you use (your metered water) approximately twice a year in a separate bill.
Your new water bill from Selwyn Water will look a little different from what you’ve previously received from Selwyn District Council.
Moving to quarterly billing
You will receive one bill each quarter, which will include your fixed drinking water supply and wastewater charges and, where applicable, your metered (volumetric) water charges, based on how much water you use.
Metered and non-metered properties
If your drinking water is metered you will receive your bill following each read of your meter, approximately every 90 days. Meter readings are scheduled on a rolling basis across the district.
Your first bill on a metered connection will include your metered water charges since your last reading and fixed charges from 1 July 2026. If you are not on a metered connection, any drinking water or wastewater fixed charges will be billed in the first month of each calendar quarter (i.e. July, October, January, April).
Not everyone in the district is connected to a Selwyn Water drinking water supply or wastewater network. If you have your own private bore or wastewater system and are not within a serviceable distance of Selwyn Water’s network, you will not receive a bill from Selwyn Water.
How you will receive your bill
You will receive your Selwyn Water bill in the same way you currently receive your Council rates bill (by email or post). We’ll also provide options if you’d like to change how you receive your bill.
In May, we will include example water bills on this page so you can see exactly what your bill will look like.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about your Council-issued water bill please contact the Council directly.
Understanding your water charges
For average urban properties where water consumption is metered, your bill will include fixed charges for your water supply and wastewater connections, along with a charge based on how much water you use.
Properties on a restricted water supply have a daily water allowance, with the volume of water supplied limited to a set amount. Your quarterly bill will include fixed charges for your water supply and wastewater connections, along with a charge based on your daily water allowance.
Current water charges (2025/26)
Selwyn District Council has set water charges for 2025/26 in line with its Annual Plan and the charge is in place for the financial year 1 July 2025 - 30 June 2026.
| Drinking Water | All Supplies | Metered charges for town supply | Restricted Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charges | Fixed water supply charge of $422 per year | Additional charges of $1.25 per cubic metre of water (1,000 litres = 1 unit). You pay for what you use. This works out to be approximately $323 for an average urban household per year (based on an average water use) | Additional charge of $350 per water unit |
| Billing | Quarterly through your rates bill | Twice a year | Quarterly through your rates bill |
Wastewater charges (2025/26)
All properties that are connected to the wastewater network in Selwyn pay an annual wastewater charge of $807.
How water charges are used
Water charges pay for the infrastructure and services that ensure:
- Safe drinking water comes out of your tap
- Wastewater is safely collected and treated
- The systems that deliver and treat water are maintained and upgraded over time
This includes the costs for:
- Pipes, pump stations and reservoirs
- Drinking water and wastewater treatment plants
- Everyday operation and maintenance
- Renewing and upgrading ageing pipes and facilities
- Investing in new infrastructure to support growth
All details on water charges for 2026/27 will be confirmed after Selwyn Water has engaged on its Water Services Strategy in May. A draft fees and pricing policy and schedule will be shared with the community as part of this engagement.