Residents will no longer get free water from the metro
Local resident Lucas Joubert was stunned when he received his monthly rates bill and noticed he was no longer receiving his free 6 kilolitres (kl) of water.
Joubert says this came as a surprise as he was never informed about it.
However, metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe says a media statement was released on August 1 informing residents about this change.
“In order to cushion the indigent residents from these increases, the metro has revised its policy on provision of free 6kl of water to all residents so that more indigents can be accommodated.
“This was announced by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance and Economic Development Clr Doctor Xhakaza during the budget speech on May 24.
“Therefore, residents who are not registered indigents and whose property value exceeds R750 000 would notice from their monthly statements that they would be charged for all consumed water and sanitation.
“To accommodate more of the destitute members of society, the city has adopted the revised indigent support policy, which has resulted in an increased minimum income threshold from R3 200 to R5 090,” says Gadebe.
While delivering his budget speech on May 24, Xhakaza said although the metro had provided all of its ratepayers with free basic water over the past decade, the practice was in contrast with national policy.
“The national allocation to municipalities excludes non-indigent households,” said Xhakaza, as he explained why Ekurhuleni had to reconsider its policy.
The water tariff was also increased by 12.96 per cent from July 1, which is the same increase pronounced by Rand Water, the city’s bulk water supplier. Sanitation tariffs increased by 9 per cent, which is informed by the cost of sewer purification processes undertaken by East Rand Water Care Company (Erwat).
Properties which use water for household purposes, including old age homes and hostels, are charged, on a sliding scale, R10.21 per kilolitre for 0 to 6kl per month consumption to a maximum of R31.60 for 46kl or more kilolitre consumption per month.
Property owners are also liable for the cost of relocation of a meter if the meter becomes inaccessible due to the installation of a fence or wall (as per the council-approved tariffs).
The same applies for the replacement of a water meter where a water connection exists as well as testing of a water meter for accuracy.
However, Joubert feels the metro’s decisions are unfair to ratepayers, who are already under strain with all the increases in the cost of basic services.
“It doesn’t make sense that the metro just dumps all this information on us without explaining how we got here or ask for our input before they make the final decision.
“What are the financial reasons behind this move?
“It feels as though the metro is penalising people who are actually paying their rates and taxes.
“Why does the metro not want to help us as residents?” asks Joubert.
Joubert is also upset about how the metro communicated with the residents regarding its latest move.
He says the residents had to make enquiries themselves before they found out what was going on.
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