Have your say on the draft water services by-law

As part of the public participation process required for approval of a by-law, the City of Ekurhuleni led a meeting with the public on drafting the water services by-law.

Despite a low turnout, the officials allowed the public to give their input on all matters as provided in the by-laws.
The officials welcomed the community’s comments in a meeting at the council chambers of the Alberton Civic Centre on March 13.

The draft by-law intends to give effect to clause 11, Chapter 3 of the Water Services Act (Act 108 of 1997), which puts a duty to the city as water service authority to progressively ensure efficient, affordable, economical, and sustainable access to water services to all consumers or potential consumers in its area of jurisdiction.

Binding to the municipality and the community, the draft by-law focuses on the general conditions of the supply of water services, including the payment of accounts, the serving of notices and transitional arrangements, among others.

Have your say

Lorato Mabula from the water department said they are legislated to allow communities to have their say in the water services draft by-law.

“This process is important. We don’t want instances where the public is presented with this document without them having had the opportunity to seek any clarity. The deadline for the submission of comments is April 14. After that, the public will not be able to submit comments,” she explained.

When council approves the document, it is published as the city’s water services by-law.

Mabula reiterated that many sections of the document would directly affect residents and businesses.

The draft by-law can be viewed at any of the city’s customer care centres and on www.ekurhuleni.gov.za

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed draft can email their comments, by no later than April 14, to waterservicebylaw@ekurhuleni.gov.za