Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Deadline to comment on City’s proposed water levy
CAPE Town residents have until midnight on Monday to let city officials know what they think about proposed water tariffs amid the prevailing drought.
The City’s officials claim water tariffs are meant to raise cash for its water projects. This includes “additional infrastructure investment to enhance water security” and “drilling abstraction boreholes into the Table Mountain Group Aquifer to supply the Steenbras catchment area”.
“These projects are essential, but expensive,” officials said in a statement.
“We have proposed a drought charge on property rates this year, to help pay for these vital emergency water projects. If approved, the charge will be valid from February 1 until June 30, 2021.”
Residents have, meanwhile, registered their opposition and anger at the proposal on various platforms.
The website Dear Cape Town has run a petition against the water tariffs and has gained strong support.
Residents are angry at the City’s plan to charge extra for water usage based on property values. The City proposes to charge an additional 10% and 11% of monthly property rates.
Dear Cape Town’s petition states this proposal is a “slap in the face for us all” and “counter-productive”.
“The City has not shown adequate evidence of attempts to seek alternative revenue from sources other than the residents of Cape Town,” it states.
“Why not make use of revenue provided for the installation of restrictive water meters – currently rolling out 2 000 per week at R4 732 each?”
Thousands of residents have also lashed out at officials on Dear Cape Town.
“Many elderly people on low income live in properties which now have a high valuation but years ago at time of purchase they were more affordable. If a senior person has a valuable property now, it does not imply that the person has a large disposable income. Get real,” said one.
Several organisations joined forces to establish the Interim Water Crisis Coalition, which will hold a public meeting on Monday evening at Community House in Salt River.
The coalition has “raised concerns over lack of real consultation with the masses on the water issue”.