Water guzzlers will feel the pinch as the Cape Town city council gears to increase water tariffs by almost 20% from July 1.
Depending on the amount of water used, residents could be forced to fork out up to 19.75% more if the proposed rates, included in the municipality’s 2017/18 multibillion-rand draft budget, are approved during a special council meeting on Tuesday, writes Siyabonga Sesant.
Mayor Patricia de Lille said: “The severity of the drought necessitates the acceleration of our repairs and maintenance programme as well as staffing strategy to ensure that service delivery and responsiveness expectations are being met.”
De Lille will table the R44.3 billion draft budget for adoption on Tuesday.
Other proposed increases include a 3.34% increase in the price of electricity.
De Lille said the proposed social package of R2.7bn, which would help relieve some of the financial burden experienced by poor households, included the following:
* A 100% rebate for households with a gross monthly income of R4 000 or less.
* Indigent rates rebate for persons younger than 60 years; the maximum monthly household income is R6 000.
* Senior citizens and disabled persons rates rebate, maximum monthly household income is R15 000.
* 60kWh of electricity free of charge per month per household for those using less than 250kWh per month.
* Additional 4.5kl of water, including sewerage charges, for all properties valued at R400 000 or less.
The city council said the draft budget would be presented at community meetings before it is debated and adopted.