Water consumer research reports
This page contains the reports from research that has been undertaken on the issues that are of interest to water consumers in South Australia.
The Commission thanks the Department for Human Services for allowing the reports from projects funded under the Consumer Advocacy and Research Fund to be published on this page.
If you have any other research you would like to share on this page, please contact us.
Please note that the content of any reports published on this page represents the views of the authors and not those of the Commission.
Consumer Advocacy and Research Fund
The Consumer Advocacy and Research Fund (CARF), established under the Water Industry Act, provides annual funding of $250,000 (indexed for inflation each year) to support:
- research or advocacy that promotes the interests of consumers with a disability, low-income consumers, or consumers who are located within a regional area of the State,
- projects that advance the interests of consumers from an advocacy perspective, and
- fund administration.
The South Australian Government has engaged the South Australian Council of Social Services (SACOSS) to consult with consumer groups and recommend projects suitable for CARF funding.
Since 2015-16, SACOSS has also received CARF funding for its own ongoing research and advocacy program.
Projects that have received CARF funding since its inception in 2012 are listed below, with reports where available.
2018-19
Business SA
A valuation by Cambridge Economic Policy Associated (CEPA) of SA Water’s regulated asset base, to support the Business SA submission to the South Australian Government’s Water Pricing Inquiry.
Supporting regional customers in financial difficulty (ongoing)
Kerri Muller NRM
Activities to educate minor and intermediate retailers on the role of financial counsellors, with the objective of developing service options for customers in financial difficulty.
SA Water revenue determination (ongoing, commenced January 2019)
Uniting Communities
Advocacy work with the objective of providing a consumer perspective on SA Water’s proposed expenditure over 2020-24 within the Essential Services Commission of South Australia’s SA Water Regulatory Determination 2020.
High water needs of consumers living with a disability (ongoing, commenced January 2019)
JFA Purple Orange
Research documenting the particular conditions for people living with a disability which necessitate high water use.
Tenants and supply charge (ongoing, commenced January 2019)
Uniting Communities
Research that reviews the extent to which tenants are required to pay the water supply charge, in order to inform policy and regulatory decisions.
2017-18
South Australian Financial Counsellors Association
Research that analyses interstate models for giving water utility customers priority access to financial counselling, to propose a priority service arrangement for SA Water customers.
Colmar Brunton report to the Department of Human Services (SA)
Research that documents issues relating to water use, cost and quality that are particular to consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Draws on responses from 40 in-depth interviews.
University of South Australia School of Sustainable Engineering report to the Department of Human Services (SA)
A project that examines an important, but often overlooked, asset in South Australia’s rural landscape – farm dams. Explores how farm dams can improve the sustainability of South Australia’s farming families, to inform policy development and improve equity of water sharing.
SACOSS
Research examining the impact changes to water charges and concession arrangements have had on different concession card holders in SA. Issues in relation to tenants being charged water supply charges are also examined, and the value of the current SA water concession is compared with that in other states.
SACOSS
Research into the profile of people who have had their water restricted, as well as the impact restriction has had on their lives. This report identifies opportunities to strengthen and enhance support provided to those who have had, or are at risk of having, their water restricted.
Sponsorship of the SACOSS hardship and affordability conference
SACOSS
The theme of the 2018 SACOSS conference was Essential Services and Consumers Living with Disability: Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Transport. Its program, speakers, and some presentations are available on the SACOSS website.
2016-17
South Australian Financial Counsellors Association
Recommendations to improve outcomes for customers of minor and intermediate water and sewerage retailers, based on surveys and interviews with 200 residential customers and eight community clubs.
JFA Purple Orange to the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (SA)
Research exploring issues relating to water cost, use and quality experienced by customers living with a disability, which draws on interviews with 129 residential customers.
Uniting Communities
Research exploring the experience of tenants as water consumers, using results from interviews and analysis of interstate practice as the basis of recommendations for improving outcomes.
2015-16
Enhancing consumer sector engagement in the SA Water regulatory determination
SACOSS
Advocacy work to enhance consumer sector engagement with SA Water’s proposed expenditure over 2016-20 within the Essential Services Commission of South Australia’s SA Water Regulatory Determination 2016.
2014-15
SA Water price determination and vulnerable water customers
SACOSS
Advocacy work relating to SA Water’s proposed expenditure over 2016-20 within the Essential Services Commission of South Australia’s SA Water Regulatory Determination 2016.
Sponsorship of the SACOSS Hardship and Affordability Conference
SACOSS
The theme of the 2015 SACOSS conference was Energy, Water and Telecommunications. Its program and speakers are listed on the SACOSS website.
2013-14
KPMG to the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (SA)
The Water Advocacy Research Project aimed to build the capacity of consumer advocates to assist vulnerable water consumers deal with retailers, and engage in regulatory processes. It delivered Advocacy Guidelines for consumer advocates and agencies.
KPMG to the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (SA)
The Best Practice Consumer Interaction Project aimed to support retailers to better engage with vulnerable consumers. It delivered Consumer Interaction Guidelines for use by water retailers.
Sponsorship of the SACOSS hardship and affordability conference
SACOSS
The theme of the 2014 SACOSS conference was Stakeholder Conversations.
Other research
Consumers and other stakeholders are invited to nominate other research for inclusion on the site by contacting us.