The six kilolitres of free water a month no longer applies to households across the board in the Umzinyathi area.
In response to a growing number of enquiries regarding water tariffs, Umzinyathi District Municipality confirmed this in a statement to the Courier. 
“The six kilolitres of free water will apply to indigent customers only,” the statement said.
The term ‘indigent’, however, has not been defined. Anyone wanting to be declared indigent will have to contact the district municipality. Other issues include the fact that categories of consumption and charges shall be as determined by Council in each annual budget.
“A basic charge per water meter, as determined by Council from time to time, shall be charged on all water consumers, except registered indigents and consumers using prepaid meters.
“Where a meter exists at a residential complex, the tariff will apply to that meter, and the number of units in the complex will not be taken into account when calculating the monthly water charge for the complex, unless each unit has its own water connection.
“Availability charges will be charged on all vacant land where there are services near the vacant land.”