The regulator handed down its report into the 2015 Water and Sewerage Price Determination Investigation this week.

By the 2017-18 financial year, when the annual rate is projected to become $329.48, Northern and Southern water users will see an increase of less than $30 each year and North-West customers will have $100 shaved from their bill.

The figure is set at $293.24 for 2015-16.

TasWater, which proposed a more gradual transition to price equity during the draft process, has slammed the Economic Regulator’s decision to push for statewide consistency on fixed water charges.

Chairman Miles Hampton said the changes meant that the company would be forced to spend less on major projects in the long term.

‘‘While the regulator has approved TasWater’s plan to invest around $330 million over the next three years, the determination may mean we have to delay or put on hold some of the big projects planned for subsequent pricing periods, such as the Launceston Sewerage Improvement Project,’’ Mr Hampton said.

‘‘Alternatively it could mean that in the years beyond 2018, TasWater will have to consider higher price increases than planned.’’

Economic Regulator chairman Glenn Appleyard has said the approach is an attempt to ensure all water users pay the same amount for the same service.

‘‘As a result almost all customers will be paying the same price for the same service by 30 June, 2018,’’ he said.