HARDLY any water has been saved in Ekurhuleni since the call to cut down 15% on water usage in August.
The Water and Sanitation Department today announced the City had only achieved a 0.8% saving rate compared to the required 15% water saving since the implementation of water restrictions.
Hence, the City of Ekurhuleni is implementing a 10% punitive rate to step up measures to save water, Themba Gadebe, metro spokesman, said.
“Municipal by-laws will strongly be enforced to transgressors as per the water restriction tariffs of 2016/2017. The City urges residents to double up efforts to save water,” Gadebe added.
Restrictions currently in place include that there should be no use of hosepipes, sprinklers, irrigation systems and no filling of swimming pools at all times. In addition, there should be no watering of gardens between 6am and 6pm.
“The City of Ekurhuleni will apply zero tolerance to the illegal connection of water such as the use of fire hydrants or any other unauthorised water connection and consumption. A fee of R6 753.64 per incident on the property representing water consumption and related administration costs in cases of household usage will be charged,” he said.
A penalty of R13 762.24 will be charged per incident on the property representing water consumption and related administration costs in cases where business and other usage is applicable.
Residents using more than 25 kilolitres (kl) of water will be charged a 10% punitive rate. The 25kl is inclusive of the 6kl of free water supply provided to all households and domestic users. Businesses and other users will be charged up to a 40% penalty if they fail to decrease their annual average usage by 15%.
This average will be based on their consumption over 12 months, from September 2015 to August 2016.
Customers can view or download the municipal Water Tariffs 2016/17 at https://www.ekurhuleni.gov.za/thecouncil/tariffs.
Customers are encouraged to continue reporting water service related incidents or interruptions through the municipal call centre on 086 054 3000 and through social media channels @EMM_Call_Centre and the City of Ekurhuleni’s Facebook page. #EkuSaveWater
