City’s budget proposal
THE CITY has reminded residents that there is less than a week left for comments on its budget proposal regarding a revised approach to domestic water metering as part of the comment period on the City of Cape Town’s draft Budget (2021/22).
To encourage customers to take responsibility for their water usage, the City proposes that from July 2021 it will install no more new water management device meters (WMDs), and that WMDs currently in service be replaced by conventional meters with the latest metering technology.
Comments on the proposals must be submitted by May 3.
Among the proposals is that water and sanitation will be provided at no charge, but water usage on the property may not be more than the water volume limit as set by Council.
Mayco member for water and waste Xanthea Limberg said: “As leaks on private plumbing will be counted by the meter as part of usage, property owners must act quickly to fix leaks.”
Explaining the review of the metering approach, the City said: “Since WMDs were first used by the City about 15 years ago, they have played an important role in bringing water usage down to more sustainable levels. The City, however, will continue to monitor and take steps to prevent excessive use.”
The proposals on the management of water usage in indigent households have come under fire from lobby group STOP COCT. Spokesperson Sandra Dickson said they questioned the proposal aimed at indigent users who already get up to 10.5kl of free water.
“The ill-thought-through plan to remove the WMDs is 15 years overdue and has very little substance to it.
“The City is mum on those households earning R7 000 upwards and battling to pay their water bills. No relief is on the cards for those who already have stringent repayment plans. The City still forces paying customers and pensioners into paying the water levies, which have increased by 5%.”