Sembcorp Silulumanzi recently announced the implementation of water restrictions through the introduction of drought-relief tariffs and penalties.
This was due to below normal rainfall and extremely high temperatures, which led to the official restrictions being issued by Mbombela Local Municipality to reduce its raw-water abstractions from the Crocodile River, its tributaries and dams, by 20 per cent.
This with the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Agency and in terms of the National Water Act.
As of Sunday, the drought tariffs for domestic use will go up by 10 per cent for households which use 20 to 30 kilolitres (R14,29 per kilolitre).
A 30 per cent increase will be implemented for household usage of 30 to 40 kilolitres (R16,89 per kilolitre).
For monthly use of 40 to 150 kilolitres there will be a 30 per cent increase (R19,01 per kilolitre).
Households which consume over 150 kilolitres will pay 30 per cent more (R21,16 per kilolitre).
For business the drought tariffs for water usage of up to 50 kilolitres carries a 7,5 per cent increase (R15,16 per kilolitre).
For 50 to 100 kilolitres there will be a 10 per cent increase (R18,58 per kilolitre).
For 100 to 300 kilolitres there will be an increase of 15 per cent (R21,08 per kilolitre).
The increase for the 300 to 500 kilolitres consumed will be 10 per cent (R19,51 per kilolitre). For usage of over 500 kilolitres the increase will be five per cent (R17,56 per kilolitre).
All consumers are requested to keep to the following:
• No washing of hard surfaces or paved areas with drinking water
• Watering of gardens, flower beds, parks, lawns and other open spaces are not allowed during the day and must be done either before 09:00 or after 18:00
• Washing of vehicles is only allowed with buckets or hosepipes with automated self-closing devices or waterless products
• No automatic top-up systems will be allowed for swimming pools
• Possible changes in water pressures might be experienced by residents due to low levels of raw water intake and reservoir outlets might be closed at times to build pressure in the system.
• Penalties for a first offence for domestic use will be R750 and R1 500 for business use. For a second offence the fines for domestic violations will be R1 500 and R3 000 for business use.
• For a third offence these fines will double up to R3 000 for domestic and R6 000 for business offences.
Enquiries: Silulumanzi Customer Services on 013-752-6839 (24 hours).
