Melbourne Water는 호주의 공익사업으로 빅토리아 온타키(Wonthaggi) 지역에 건축된 일일 440 Ml 규모 플랜트의 수도요금을 줄이기 위한 대출상환기간의 연장을 제안했다. 이는 약 134억 달러 규모(약 180억 오스트레일리아 달러)에 해당한다. 60년 이상 플랜트의 수도요금 비용에 대한 영향을 줄일 수 있도록 상환금은 현재 27년 이상으로 연장되었다.

플랜트에서 사용되지 않는 약 4억6천500만 달러(약 6억2천만 오스트레일리아 달러)의 비용은 사용자들의 지불로 운영·유지되고 있으며, 담수화 플랜트의 경우 연간 약 2천250만 ∼7천400만 달러(약 3천만∼1억 오스트레일리아 달러)의 추가 비용이 발생한다.

Australian utility, Melbourne Water. has proposed extending the repayment period on loans taken out to construct out the 440 Ml/d Wonthaggi in Victoria in a bid to reduce bills.

The proposal is for A$18 billion (US$ 13.4 billion) in repayments currently due over 27 years to be spread out over 60 years to reduce the impact of the costs of the plant on water bills.

The plant, has never been used and costs about A$ 620 million (US$ 465 million) a year to keep operational which is paid for by water users through their bills.

Were desalinated water ever taken form the plant it would add A$ 30 million-A$ 100 million ( US$ 22.5 million - US$ 74 million) a year to its costs.

The proposed loan repayment extension would increase the overall borrowing cost to water users in the long term.

Melbourne Water said the Essential Services Commission had asked it to consider the option and it "would mean those who benefit from the desalination plant will contribute to its cost".

Melbourne Water said it would need to borrow more money in the short term and customers would pay the additional ­interest, but the move would result in lower bills for customers now.

Consumer Action Law Centre chief executive, Gerard Brody, said it was fair that future generations contributed to the project cost instead of today's households shouldering most of the burden. A joint submission by the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, Consumer Action and Victorian Council of Social Service said: "It is efficient and equitable that the costs be spread across the customers who will benefit from the plant over its estimated 60-year life".

Nationals leader and Coalition water spokesman Peter Walsh rejected the proposal: "Daniel Andrews is just lumping the massive cost of his desal white elephant from our children on to our children's children," he said.

[출처 = Desalination & Water Reuse / 2015년 7월 21일]