The Water Payment Assistance Scheme - PAS

I recently came across this piece of information regarding help to those who are financially stretched with the payment of water bills to the household.

Urunga Water Drips away..

Presently we are gripped with high prices for domestic water supply and all the while we as small household customers are paying through the neck for water while the Energy and Mining companies pay little to nothing for Mega Giga Litres of water day after day after day.

This was one problem and now we are faced with a second problem from the latter there with a large risk their use of water will actually result in the contamination of the Basins and Aquifers that are underground water supplies and hold the health of the earth in its flow.

I liken these rivers underground to the blood in our veins and if you get high enough in a plane and look down at the river systems, they visually resemble the venous system as well.

So back to the households paying huge bills and trying to stay afloat.. pardon the pun.   This is where PAS comes in.

Česky: Pitná voda - kohoutek Español: Agua potable (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From EWON - Energy Water Ombudsman NSW 
About PAS
The Water Payment Assistance Scheme (PAS) can help you if you are having difficulty paying your Hunter Water, Sydney Water or Shoalhaven Water bill. This scheme assists people experiencing financial hardship by providing vouchers or a credit to a water account.

Before you seek assistance

If you are having trouble paying your bill you should speak to your water company first.
Water suppliers may be able to suggest a payment scheme or arrangement to assist you manage your bills (see customer assistance programs).
If you are unable to make arrangements with your supplier, contact a local community agency that offers this form of assistance and make an appointment.

Where can you get water vouchers?
Many community welfare organisations offer PAS. These include:

• St Vincent de Paul Society
• The Salvation Army
• Anglicare
• The Smith Family
• Some community or neighbourhood centres

If you can't find a PAS agency in your area, contact us for help.

Who can get water vouchers?

Anyone who is in financial hardship can apply for PAS assistance. The hardship may be caused by a range or combination of factors, including:

• a loss of income
• a very high water bill
• an illness in the family
• a family crisis
• unexpected expenses or bills

What about tenants?

Although the landlord is responsible for the water account, in many cases it is a condition of the lease for tenants to pay for the cost of water consumption. If you are responsible for this part of the water bill, you may be eligible for PAS, see water accounts for more.

Access to PAS for tenants is limited to $150 for water usage. As PAS cannot be used to put an account in credit, the landlord should not pay the entire bill in advance if you want to use PAS vouchers. As this is a private arrangement between you and your landlord or real estate agent, speak to them first if you are facing financial difficulty.

For detailed information, contact your water supplier. Further information on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant is available from Tenants NSW.
How does it work?

1. In most cases you will need to make an appointment with the agency over the telephone.
2. Take your water bill to the appointment and the agency will decide if they can assist you
3. The agency may also help you arrange a payment plan with your supplier for the remainder of the bill, or provide other assistance such as financial counselling.
4. Pay the vouchers on to your account at the post office or other outlet, remembering to bring along a recent bill with the barcode intact.
5. If not organised beforehand, call your water supplier to make an arrangement for the remainder of your bill.
6. If you are unable to make arrangements to pay the remainder, you can contact us for help.

Images @ Eminpee Fotography