Water is an essential part of life, and the supply of fresh, clean water is a basic human need - albeit a need with a financial cost attached. Water is vital for human survival, but it is also a simple convenience we have all come to expect. We wash, clean and cook with water. We want to be able to water our garden and fill our swimming pools at the turn of a tap.

Water falls from the sky and fills the ocean and creeks; however it requires infrastructure, distribution and management in order to get water from the source to our taps.

The Water & Waste supply's infrastructure, distribution and management is not free of charge. We have approximately 130,000 people and 58,875 properties in Cairns which require water at the turn of a tap. We distribute 29,000 ML per year through 1,909 km of water mains. All of this water must be clean and safe to use. Therefore all the water undergoes a treatment process, including filtration and disinfection.

Water & Waste Supply Costings

• The Distribution System has approximately $425,000,000 worth of assets that need to be maintained, upgraded and repaired on a regular basis.

Cost of Water Provision per year (approx.):

• Operations and maintenance $18,000,000
• Cost of water per kilolitre
  $0.82
• Cost of water per property $339.62
• Cost of water per person $138.46