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No more free water for Ekurhuleni residents

Free water to value of 6kl now only provided to indigents

WITH the annual tariff increases that took effect on July 1 in mind, the City of Ekurhuleni has revised its policy on the provision of free water to all residents. This change has been implemented to lessen the strain on indigent residents from the increased tariffs.

In the past, the city provided all residents with six kilolitres of free water, something the national policy does not support. As announced by the member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for finance and economic development, councillor Doctor Xhakaza, during the budget speech on May 24, this will not be provided anymore for people with higher property values.

“The national allocation to municipalities excludes non-indigent households,” said Xhakaza, as he explained why Ekurhuleni had to reconsider its policy. Residents who are not registered as indigents and whose property value exceeds R750 000 will pay the full amount for consumed water and sanitation.

The city has increased its support for a larger amount of destitute members of the society, with the revised indigent support policy increasing the minimum income threshold for indigents from R3 200 to R5 090.

The water tariff has increased by 12.96 per cent from July 1 and the sanitation tariff by nine per cent.

Properties which use water for household purposes, including old age homes and hostels, are charged on a sliding scale, R10.21 per kilolitre for nought to six kilolitres per month of consumption to a maximum of R31.60 for 46 kilolitres or more consumption per month.

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