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Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato. Photo: Gallo Images
- Water restrictions in Cape Town will be lifted on November 1.
- The city will move to a “water rate”, which Mayor Dan Plato said had already been approved by the council.
- According to the city of Cape Town, the decision to lift water restrictions and lower rates was based on three key considerations.
Water restrictions in Cape Town will be lifted as of November 1 and Cape Town will announce the change to a “water-based rate”.
This followed the mayor’s committee unanimously supporting the city’s decision for this measure on Tuesday, which would also serve before the council to take note of next week, it said in a statement.
Mayor Dan Plato said the fee had already been approved by the council as part of a set of fees for the city’s 2020/2021 budget.
According to the city, the decision to lift water restrictions and lower rates was based on three key considerations: the lifting by the Department of Water and Sanitation of its restrictions on the Western Cape water supply system of shared dams, of which Cape Town was one of the users; The city’s projections that dams are unlikely to fall below 50% next winter; and projections that also indicate the latest water use patterns forecast for next summer would be sufficient to allow for the reduction of rates.
“Based on the first 10,500 liters of water used plus 15mm, the average bill will be R411.99 at the unrestricted water consumption tariff. This compares with R785.38 at the Tier 6B tariff in the peak of the drought, “said Plato.
“The city’s water tariff, like some other metropolitan areas, has a fixed use and part and forms the total water tariff that covers the cost of supplying water. This includes maintaining the infrastructure and ensuring that the City The Cape is resilient by adding new sources to your 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.”
Those registered as indigent do not pay the fixed basic portion of the water fee and receive a free monthly water allowance.
“This lower rate will offer residents some financial relief while ensuring that we can provide reliable water services and invest in new water sources. The rates are set to cover the cost of supplying water and sanitation,” he added.
“While we must remain mindful of climate uncertainty, residents who are comfortable enough can begin to relax water-saving efforts in good conscience, while remaining prudent due to the significant increase in dam levels.
“These anticipated moves in the warmer summer months have been factored into the latest anticipated usage patterns to lower rates from the current second-lowest rate level, to the lowest rate, with no restrictions, for water “.
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