Use more water, pay more for water

Hefty fines may await residents as water restrictions are increased.
The local municipality has implemented level two water restrictions.

Witbank Dam is currently at 42% which is over 65% below as compared to the previous years around this time.

“The drastic dropping of our main water source, Witbank Dam cannot be over emphasised. What is a cause of a great concern is that despite several notices issued by the municipality with regard to wise water usage and restrictions, the majority of our consumers disregarded such pleas and used our scarce resource as if it is infinite,” said the municipal manager, Mr Theo van Vuuren.

He said the realities of climate change are upon us and the scarce resources such as water are the worst due to non availability of sufficient down pours and ever increasing temperatures. Therefore it is of paramount importance that as government, private sector, agricultural sector, communities and individuals preserve and conserve the little water available as if it is our last drop for the benefit of current and future generations.

“It is vitally significant that as individuals we always bear in mind that ‘water is life’ without water all living organisms on earth will cease to exist,” he said.

The restrictions takes effect immediately to a period where the municipality will feel it is out of danger. The target for water restriction is to achieve savings of approximately 25% during the restriction period.

Watering (with drinking water from municipal supply) of gardens, flower beds, sports fields, parks, lawns and other open spaces are only allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for a maximum of one hour per premises either before 09:00 or after 16:00. This includes watering with buckets or automated sprinkler systems.

No watering will be permitted within 24 hours of rainfall that provides adequate saturation. Facilities/customers making use of boreholes or other sources are not exempt from this.

When watering gardens (including agricultural crops), parks, open spaces with alternative water resources like boreholes, well points, grey water, treated effluent, spring water or rain water harvesting you are encouraged to do so only before 09:00 or after 16:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

If alternative water sources are utilised, all customers must ensure that they display the appropriate signage to this effect clearly visible from a public thoroughfare.
Special users like golf courses shall use treated effluent for irrigation or can apply to the Director of Technical Services for exemption

No automatic top-up systems are allowed for swimming pools. It is recommended that all swimming pools be covered by a pool cover to avoid evaporation when not in use.

No filling of tanks and other water retaining containers is allowed expect for recycling and the use of grey water. When using grey water you need to put up a sign stating that you are using non-potable water for irrigation.
Ornamental water fountains or water features to be operated only by recycling the water.

Restrictions applicable to residential customers:
Washing of vehicles (including recreational vehicles and watercraft) allowed only with hosepipes fitted with automatic self-closing devices, or with waterless products.
No washing or hosing down of hard-surfaced or paved areas with drinking water from a tap is allowed.
All taps, showerheads and other plumbing components encouraged to be replaced with water efficient parts or technologies.

Restrictions applicable to businesses (commercial and industrial):
Watering of plants in nurseries, farms, vegetable gardens, etc. for commercial gain will be exempted from the water restrictions subject on application to the Director: Technical Services
When washing vehicles and/or equipment (including commercial car wash facilities), use only water efficient or water recycling technology and equipment or waterless products. Display of water saving and water efficiency messages encouraged.
Informal car washes to use only buckets and not hosepipes.
Washing of paving and hard surfaces with potable water is prohibited. However, areas where prior permission in writing has been granted (such as to abattoirs and food processing industries) will be exempted.
All taps, showerheads and other plumbing components in public places must be replaced with water efficient parts or technologies.

Restrictions applicable to institutions and government departments:
Watering of plants in council/other government nurseries will be exempted from the water restrictions subject on application to the Director of Technical Services.

“There are no penalties for consumers who don’t make additional water savings. However, the price of water will be increasing, especially for large domestic consumers. This means that you will pay more for the same amount of water used. This is necessary in order to encourage water savings. This will have very little effect on small consumers and water efficient households. On the other hand, large domestic consumers will pay a significantly higher marginal price for water,” said Van Vuuren.

In a domestic household you will pay nothing for the first 6kl. Thereafter you will pay R9.25 per kiloliter from 6kl to 10.5kl, R14.50 per kiloliter if you use between 10.5kl and 20kl. If you use between 20kl and 35kl you will pay R18.30 per kiloliter, using between 35kl and 50kl you can expect to pay R25.20 per kiloliter and if you use more than 50kl you will be paying R44.60 per kiloliter.

Spot fines of up to R1 500 shall be issued to offenders. Repeat offenders could be summonsed and be liable for prosecution resulting in a fine of up to R10 000, or imprisonment up to six months, or both.
Business and industries will be paying the following: from 6kl to 10.5kl R13.88 per kiloliter, between 10.5kl and 20kl R21.75 per kiloliter, between 20kl and 35kl R27.45 per kiloliter, between 35kl and 50kl R37.80 per kiloliter and if they use more than 50kl they will be paying R66.90 per kiloliter.

Spot fines of up to R 3 000.00 shall be issued to offenders. Repeat offenders could be summonsed and be liable for prosecution resulting in a fine of up to R20 000, or imprisonment up to six months to 12 months, or both. The formalised car washes are regarded as business and will be billed as above. However the informal ones are restricted from using hosepipes and if found by law enforcement they will be liable to a spot fine.

Industries using raw water will be paying the following: between 6kl and 10.5kl R1.50 per kiloliter, between 10.5kl and 20kl R2.50 per kiloliter, between 20kl and 35kl R3.50 per kiloliter, between 35kl and 50kl R4.50 per kiloliter and more than 50kl R5.50 per kiloliter.

Spot fines of up to R 3 000.00 shall be issued to offenders. Repeat offenders could be summonsed and be liable for prosecution resulting in a fine of up to R20 000, or imprisonment up to six months to 12 months, or both.
The above tariffs are only applicable to level two water restrictions, not necessarily replacing the normal tariffs approved by council

The free water allocation for indigent community remains free and is set at 6kl per domestic household.

ALSO READ:
We have water for a year
Saving water – fix your own drips and leaks