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Executive overview
Key findings
906,803 customers at 30 June 2025, up from 839,516 five years earlier
179,395 ML of water from all sources in FY2024-25, of which 17,085 ML was non-revenue water
69.6%: Melbourne storages on 1 March 2026, after 2024-25 inflows 36% below the 30-year average
A$1,962 million: capital works allowance approved by the Essential Services Commission for 2023-28
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Buyer relevance
Who the report is for
Water sector consultants and engineers
Use the water balance from FY2016-17 to FY2024-25, with leakage rising from 5,887 ML to 9,568 ML, to frame loss and network work.
Government and regulatory analysts
See how Melbourne Water, the Essential Services Commission, the Victorian Government and Yarra Valley Water divide responsibility for supply, prices and service.
Suppliers entering the Melbourne water market
Identify the projects in design or construction, from the 10 ML/day Aurora recycled water plant to the Healesville upgrade, and the partners already appointed.
Investors and lenders following Victorian state entities
Read the FY2024-25 finance position, including A$4,193.3 million of borrowings and cash interest cover of 1.83 times, beside the 2023-28 capital allowance.
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Decision scope
Questions answered
Where does Yarra Valley Water's water come from?
It buys treated bulk water from Melbourne Water, whose storages were at 69.6% of capacity on 1 March 2026.
How much water is lost in Yarra Valley Water's network?
Non-revenue water was 17,085 ML in FY2024-25; on the regulated measure, losses were 9.6% in 2025-26 against a target below 7.3%.
How reliable is supply?
7,527 customers had three or more unplanned interruptions in 2025-26, above the limit of fewer than 7,000.
What will customers pay in 2026-27?
The typical residential bill is A$1,176, up 5.6% on the Essential Services Commission's measure.
When is the next price plan decided?
The 2028-33 submission is due in September 2027 and the final decision in June 2028.
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Inside the report
Inside the complete report
Executive Overview
1. Water Resource Profile
2. Governance and Institutional Framework
3. Infrastructure and Service Delivery
Strategic Outlook and Opportunities
Source Register
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Public preview
What to watch next
1. Water Resource Profile
Melbourne storage levels through summer 2026-27; any desalination order for 2027-28; and Yarra Valley Water's 2025-26 water balance in its annual report, now available.
2. Governance and Institutional Framework
Post-election water portfolio decisions; the Essential Services Commission's guidance for the 2028 price review; and the A$3.42 million rebate's confirmation for 2026-27.
3. Infrastructure and Service Delivery
Interruption numbers in the 2026-27 outcome year; renewal lengths reported in the 2025-26 annual report against the FY2024-25 decline; and recycled water plant availability after the Aurora and Brushy Creek shutdowns.
Strategic Outlook and Opportunities
The June 2027 draft plan's capital total and bill path; Government decisions on the Water Security Plan options; the Aurora planning permit; and debt and interest cover in the 2025-26 annual report against FY2024-25's 1.83 times.
Section 3: network assets and service outcomes from 2023-24 to 2025-26 against their limits.
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Included
What you receive
The complete PDF report: 11 pages, 6 sections, 9 tables and a register of 28 sources.
This edition
November 2026, First edition.
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Evidence & method
Evidence and method
The report draws on Yarra Valley Water's audited annual reports and water consumption reports, the Victorian Water Accounts, Melbourne Water's water outlook and desalination releases, Essential Services Commission price and outcome decisions, and Yarra Valley Water project and governance pages current to 10 November 2026.
Sources
28 sources, listed in the report's source register. Evidence current to 10 November 2026. Principal data periods: FY2024-25 audited results and water consumption report (year ended 30 June 2025); 2025-26 outcome results (April 2025 to March 2026); Melbourne storages to 1 March 2026; status to 10 November 2026. All currency is Australian dollars (A$)..
Evidence boundaries
This report uses authoritative source material available at the stated research cutoff. It distinguishes published facts, calculated values and analytical interpretation. No independent modelling is performed. Forward-looking analysis reflects published plans, documented trends and stated uncertainties. It does not constitute legal, financial, investment or engineering advice.
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Lead analyst
Robert C. Brears
Founder, Our Future Water Intelligence
Robert C. Brears is a water-security specialist and author whose work examines utility governance, infrastructure investment, climate resilience and long-term water-system change for executive and policy audiences.
- Decision-focused utility intelligence
- Published water-policy author
- Evidence-grounded system analysis
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Buyer FAQs
Before you purchase
Who can use the report?
Licensed for internal use within one purchasing organization. The PDF and its contents may be shared with colleagues within that organization. External redistribution, resale and public publication are prohibited without permission.
How is the report delivered?
The PDF is available to download immediately after confirmed payment, through our secure delivery system.
Can my organization buy wider access?
Institutional purchasing: For invoice enquiries, multi-organization licensing or broader access requirements, contact Our Future Water Intelligence.
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Water Systems Overview: Yarra Valley Water
- Format
- Length
- 11 pages
- Edition
- November 2026, First edition
- Price
- USD 499
11
Report details
Publication details
- Publisher
- Our Future Water Intelligence
- Report family
- Water Utility Intelligence Report
- Edition
- November 2026, First edition
- Format
- Length
- 11 pages
- Reference
- OFW_EXT_WATER_SYSTEMS_OVERVIEW_YARRA_VALLEY_WATER_f035ab37882b
- Evidence current to
- 10 November 2026
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