WA’s Economic Regulation Authority has this week proposed changes to the Water Corporation’s billing structure, which could see country WA residents paying an extra $222 per year in three years’ time.

In its final report released on Monday, the ERA suggests replacing the rental values-based pricing of residential wastewater and drainage services with a single fixed charge which is “equal” to the cost of service.

It also put forward a $31 per year increase to water usage charges for regional customers, which would increase a further 6 per cent annually.

In contrast, the report suggested cutting the cost of water services to customers in metropolitan Perth by up to $100 annually.

The Barnett Government is yet to formally respond to the Authority’s recommendations.