Water Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

12 November , 2024

Energy, Food and Water Security in Northern Australia

The Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia is conducting an inquiry and report on energy, food and water security in the north of Australia. Submissions are currently open to the public and will close on 31st January 2025. The availability (including cost availability) is of great concern to all consumers, but especially to those living…

25 July , 2024

EWON Board Community Director Opportunity

The Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) is currently accepting nominations for the EWON Board Community Director position. The position is a three year term starting from 31 October 2024 with nominations closing 26/07/2024. From EWON’s website: The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) is calling for nominations for one Community Director for the EWON…

27 June , 2024

Majority of Concessioners Not Aware of Energy Bill Concessions

A new independent report released by the Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research at the University of Melbourne reveals that just over 35 percent of Australians have a concession card, yet only one third of them are aware they may be eligible for energy concessions on their bills. The report surveyed 3187 respondents, 1154…

17 November , 2023

Nominations Open for EWON Community Director Positions

Original media release from EWON (2/11/2023). The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) is calling for nominations to be one of the five Community Directors on the EWON Board from December 2023. EWON is the independent dispute resolution scheme for NSW electricity and gas customers and some water customers. The Board is responsible for corporate governance, funding, and strategy. …

18 August , 2023

Regulated Water Charges in Murray-Darling Basin Fell in Real Terms 2021-2022

Regulated water charges varied substantially between the different states in the Murray-Darling Basin in 2021-22 as wet conditions across the Basin kept water availability high, the ACCC’s annual Water Monitoring Report 2021-22 shows.

The Murray-Darling Basin focused report monitors regulated water charges, compliance with the water rules by infrastructure operators, and ‘transformation’ arrangements that allow irrigators to convert an irrigation right into a standalone water access entitlement, held by the irrigator or traded to another person.

2 November , 2022

Energy concessions failing to reach low-income Australians

At least 1 in 5 eligible low-income households in the National Energy Market are not receiving their energy concession, a new report from the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) has found. CPRC, CEO, Erin Turner, released the report today and called on state and federal governments to review the concessions system to ensure it works…

28 September , 2022

New protections for Victorian water customers

The state’s economic regulator today released updated water industry standards, strengthening support and protections for Victorian consumers, particularly those facing financial difficulties. This is a media release from the Essential Services Commission. It was originally published on 27th September, 2022. The Essential Services Commission’s water industry standards set out the minimum service requirements water businesses must meet, covering…

7 October , 2021

Drinking water treatment systems – does it have a WaterMark?

The revised national standard on drinking water treatment systems meets WaterMark product certification which protects community health and safety, and guarantees to be suitable for use by you, your family, and your friends. Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) supports a representative to participate on the Standards Australia Technical Committee WS-027 Domestic water treatment applications which revised the Australian Standard…

18 December , 2020

Missing the Mark: EWOV insights on the impact of the Payment Difficulty Framework

When it commenced on 1 January 2019 the Payment Difficulty Framework (PDF) represented a major shift in the Victorian retail energy sector’s response to payment difficulty. This is an EWOV article. Under the PDF, energy retailers have been required to take a much more proactive and tailored approach when assisting financially struggling customers. Almost two…

4 September , 2019

Standard on drinking water treatment units open for public comment

Tap water is one of our most important and basic necessities. Most Australians don’t have to worry about getting sick from the water they’re supplied with. The downside of ensuring safe drinking water is the lingering taste and smell of disinfectant, causing many people to opt for a water filtering system (read more here). Water treatment…

31 August , 2018

Don’t be fooled by bogus door to door water testers

Perth home owners are being warned about bogus door to door water testers who give the impression that they are from the Government, but are really sellers of water filtration systems. Several reports have been received about the door knockers, some in high-vis vests, who tell householders they are testing water quality in the area…

30 April , 2014

Research shows that water-efficient technology saves money as well as water

Alternative Technology Association’s review lays a strong business case for residential and commercial users.