LOAD shedding won’t be the only thing on the rise for Ekurhuleni residents as electricity tariffs will go up by 12.2% in the new financial year.

Water tariffs will also be increased by 14% as of July 1 this year.

The announcement was made on Thursday during the 2015 Ekurhuleni budget speech, delivered by Finance MMC, Moses Makwakwa.

According to the MMC, the increase in the electricity tariff was per Eskom and in line with the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

”Unfortunately, tariffs such as electricity and water are completely out of our control and determined at national level by Eskom and Rand Water,” Makwakwa said.

Makwakwa reassured that these new tariffs were determined only after consideration of the socio-economic condition of the metro’s residents, including the low levels of disposable income and affordability.

”We also took into cognisance the cost of providing services. Ekurhuleni remains the most affordable metro in the country to live in. The average monthly household bill has only increased by R209 since 2011.”

Makwakwa compared the metro to other municipalities, including Jo’burg, Tshwane and Cape Town, where the average household bill for services is R1 641, compared to Ekurhuleni’s, which is R1 403.

Other tariff increases for the 2015/2016 financial year include: 7.5% for assessment rates, 9.5% for sanitation and an 8% increase for refuse removal.

Tariffs for the following services would not rise in the new financial year: cemeteries, libraries, recreational halls, as well as the hiring and use of sports and other recreational facilities.