How the charge is calculated

For water-take consent holders, the water science charge is based on a sliding scale which incorporates both the relative size of the consent as well as the conditions of the consent. 

This was chosen as it recognises the economies of scale that apply to large water-take consents, compared with numerous smaller water takes, but still has large users paying more in total than smaller users (see graph below).

The sliding scale means a higher charge is allocated to the first unit of consented volume with a reduction in the charge for succeeding units.

For discharge consent holders, the charge is based on the effects of their discharges and the likely amount of scientific investigations and monitoring work required. There are three levels of charge for discharge consent holders.

The final allocation of water science consent-holders charges are being sent in January 2013.

Conceptual allocation of charges

Consent holders will receive invoices for their Water Science Consent-holder Charge in January 2013.

Your invoice will show your consent or consents by zone for groundwater or surface water takes and for discharges to water or land. 

If you have several consents of the same type and held in the same legal name,  these are aggregated within each zone. A single Water Science Charge is then applied, for each consent type, across each zone.  This has the effect of reducing your overall charge.

The invoice will also show the period to which the charges relate. Note that a charge may still be due if the consent is new or has been recently surrendered.

If you have more than one consent but they are owned by different legal entities or held in different names, each entity will be invoiced based on the consents held in its name.