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Cape Town’s mayoral committee has unanimously supported the city’s decision to lift water restrictions in Cape Town and move to the lower rate as of November 1, 2020.
The committee said the decision to lift water restrictions and lower water rates is based on the following three key considerations:
- The National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) lifts the restrictions applicable to the Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) of shared dams, of which Cape Town is one of the users. Overall, WCWSS dam levels reached 100%.
- The city’s projections that dams are unlikely to fall below 50% next winter. The lifting of all restrictive measures, with the exception of the existing water regulations permanently in force due to the proactive management of water resources, will allow the rational use of water, in line with the lower rate, which is slightly lower than the current, the second lowest rate. level.
- The city’s projections that also indicate the latest water use patterns forecast for next summer will be sufficient to allow the reduction of water and sanitation rates from the second lowest rate to the lowest, without restriction of the rate level. of water. These fees are already part of the budget approved by the Council for fiscal year 2020/21, which followed due process, including a public participation process.
“Aside from the dams being filled to capacity and beyond in recent weeks, this is another moment to celebrate as, in a few short years: we have gone from the worst drought to facing our city and a potential ‘Day Zero ‘of water, to complete dams and zero water restrictions, in addition to the need to maintain water, ”the committee said.
“We are located in a water-scarce region, so we will always have to ensure that we are sustainable and future-proof.”
The city said it was “aware” of the climate uncertainty, but that residents who are comfortable enough can begin to relax water-saving efforts in good conscience due to the significant increase in dam levels.
“These anticipated moves in the warmer months of the summer have been factored into the latest anticipated usage patterns to reduce rates from the current second-lowest rate level, to the lowest rate, with no restrictions, on water. “, He said.
The key points around the new water rates are the following:
What residents should know about water rates:
- Cape Town city water costs on average 4 cents per liter compared to R10 per liter for store-bought bottled water;
- Based on the first 10,500 liters of water used + 15mm meter the average bill will be R411.99 on the unrestricted and water-based rate. This is compared to R785.38 under Tier 6B tariff at peak of drought;
- The city water tariff, like some other meters, has a fixed part and use and forms the total water tariff that covers the cost of water supply. This includes maintaining infrastructure and ensuring Cape Town is resilient by adding new sources to its water supply and becoming a water-sensitive city;
- The cost of providing the service remains largely the same regardless of how much or little water is used, or how full the dams are;
- Residents registered as homeless do not pay the fixed base portion of the water rate and receive a free monthly water allowance;
- The City does not budget for profits / surpluses from the sale of water and seeks to keep the costs of providing the service as low as possible.
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