SOME Victorians will receive a one-off bonus of 50 cents from public authorities with the repeal of the carbon tax.

Almost every public authority in the state, from water authorities and councils to hospitals, libraries and TAFE colleges, is locked into a group power-buying deal, which means electricity companies have received the windfall from the carbon tax’s demise on July 17.

Water authorities and municipal councils across the state say they are powerless to access the bulk of the savings.

The Weekly Times investigation found water users and ratepayers will receive virtually nothing from the end of the controversial tax.

Lower Murray Water said its urban customers will get less than 50 cents off their next bill, its rural customers little more than $1.

Western Water said customers will save about $1 on the next bill, 90 cents per customer is likely for South Gippsland Water, Wannon Water calculates it will be less than $1 saved for their customers and others say the saving “will be immaterial”.

Most state water authorities are still unsure if there will be any savings for their customers.

Most of Victoria’s municipal councils are involved in the same group buying deal which is unlikely to see any carbon tax savings for ratepayers.

Fifty-eight of the state’s 79 councils took part in a group power buying tender organised by Procurement Australia.

Thirteen water authorities were included in the same tender that took up an offer from AGL Energy.

Many other organisations are also missing out on carbon tax savings after taking part in the same deal that include rural hospitals, TAFE colleges, the CFA, National Gallery and Museum Victoria.

The contract with AGL is fixed until 2016 and the power company has told its clients they would still benefit from lower tariffs which had already been negotiated.

The Essential Services Commission said it was investigating whether water authorities had passed on carbon-tax savings to its customers.

Federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson is also responsible for ensuring ­carbon-tax savings are passed on, but his office deferred to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which is policing the issue.

Complaints have been made to the ACCC, which refuses to release details of any investigation.

Water authorities and councils say the ACCC is not allowed to take action on carbon tax where an existing contract is in place.

AGL Energy did not res­pond to questions from The Weekly Times.