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Frequently asked questions

1. How much does it cost to connect power?
2. How can I keep my property secure, and still get accurate accounts for electricity and water?
3. How do I read my own meter for billing purposes?
4. How much notice is required to arrange disconnection of the power?
5. I’m having financial problems and can't pay my bill. What can I do?
6. How can I save money on my power bill?
7. Where can I pay my bill?
8. How do streetlights get fixed?
9. What concessions do Power and Water offer?
10. What can I do to keep the power on if I’m going away on holidays?
11. Why am I getting charged for sewage when my property is a vacant block?

If your question does not appear on this page please contact us .

How much does it cost to connect power?

Power and Water applies a $56 establishment fee to arrange connection of electricity services. The fee is applied every time you move property and we do not require a safety deposit. Complete the Connection Form online.

How can I keep my property secure, and still get accurate accounts for electricity and water?

If we are unable to access your property we will estimate your account. When we do read the meter, it is possible that the estimation may have been higher than what was actually used, and this will mean your next bill will be lower. To ensure that this does not happen to you, we encourage customers to purchase a Power and Water padlock for $35, which is fully refundable. The padlock is operated using a master key. Of course, we have stringent security at our end for the keys.

How do I read my own meter for billing purposes?

Water – We require to know the first four digits to calculate your bill. This tells us how many kilolitres (thousands of litres) of water you have used.

Power – All of the numbers on your electricity meter are required, the easiest way to take the reading is to read the meter from left to right.

• More About Meters

How much notice is required to arrange disconnection of the power?

We only require 24 hours notice.

I’m having financial problems and can't pay my bill. What can I do?

Your Power and Water bill can be paid off in instalments by entering into an arrangement to pay, once you have met certain guidelines. To organise this, simply contact our Customer Services Centre on freecall 1800 245 092. Penalties may apply if these arrangements are not kept.

How can I save money on my power bill?

• Keep all appliances in good working order.
• Clean air conditioner filters regularly.
• Check the solar hot water booster is turned off.
• Check that your spa or pool timer is set correctly.
• Also, read our Fact Sheets on saving energy.

Where can I pay my bill?

• Power and Water local offices
• Direct Debit from your bank account
• Payroll Deduction
• Net Direct via Power and Water’s web site
• B-Pay
• Post Office
• Credit Card over the phone

How do streetlights get fixed?

Power and Water has about 25,000 streetlights, and we rely on the public’s assistance to let us know if they are not working. We aim to fix them within a five-day turnaround time. If you see a streetlight that is not working please contact us with:

• Street name,
• name of nearby cross street,
• if more than one streetlight is out, and
• if possible the actual streetlight number, which is located on the streetlight itself.
• Use our online form to report a faulty streetlight

What concessions do Power and Water offer?

Power and Water administers pensioner concessions for electricity, water and sewerage services on behalf of Territory Health Services. To register, take your NT Pensioner Concession card to any Power and Water office. Future accounts will then show the concession granted.

Concession Rates

Power: You can obtain a rebate on electricity charges of up to 50% of your quarterly account, up to a maximum of $1.00 per day.

Water: Charges have a pensioner concession rebate of 62.5% of the quarterly account or a maximum rebate of 27.4 cents per day, which ever is the lesser amount.

Sewerage: Charges attract a fixed concession of 27.4 cents per day.

For further information please read the Pensioner Concession brochure, available from Territory Health Services.

What can I do to keep the power on if I’m going away on holidays?

If you think that you’ll be away when a bill will fall due for payment, contact our Customer Services Centre on freecall 1800 254 092 so we can make appropriate arrangements for you to pay your bill whilst you are away. This will ensure that the power is not cut off while you are away.

Why am I getting charged for sewerage when my property is a vacant block?

It is a Government Gazetted charge, which is applied due to the fact that the sewerage pipes are running past the property.