North East Water customers will see their charges increase by about $8 this financial year, but it will likely remain the country's most affordable bill.
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NEW had a typical bill of $894 in 2017/18, the lowest out of all 85 utilities in the Bureau of Meteorology's National Performance Report.
In the last five years the average bill has fluctuated between $974 at its highest in 2013 and $877 at its lowest in 16-17.
It compared to Albury's $1209 and the country's highest of nearly $2000 in Alice Springs.
If national charges remained consistent in the next evaluation, an increased bill of $902 would still be the smallest.
NEW acting managing Director Anthony Hernan said the total average residential bill would increase by less than 1 per cent.
"The total increase is less than CPI and was approved by the water industry's economic regulator, the Essential Services Commission," he said.
"The corporation aims to make bills as affordable as possible and this has been confirmed recently by a national report naming us as having the most affordable bills in the country, for the third year in a row.
"Our affordable bills are expected to continue into the future with the ESC approving small annual increases until June 2025.
"We understand that any increase to utility bills can affect household budgets and we ask customers experiencing financial difficulties to call our customer service centre."
Mr Hernan said in the 2019-2020 financial year, $27.5 million would be spent on capital works including increasing the capacity of Beechworth's sewage system and a new centralised depot in Wangaratta.
A $2.5 million Bellbridge upgrade is starting soon and will take about 18 months to complete.
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Pumps and pipework that carries untreated water from Lake Hume to the treatment plant will be done first, followed by the construction of two tanks and the upgrading of water mains.
Planning and infrastructure executive Kevin Freeman said traffic management would be in place along Bethanga Bridge and other roads.
"There will also be minor disruption to the water supply of a small number of customers and reinstatement works will be necessary during and after the upgrade," he said.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their patience during the coming work."
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