FOR THE RECORD

FOLLOWING our October 14 article: “Pressure piles on City to lower ‘high’ water tariffs as dams full”, Mayco member for Water and Waste, Xanthea Limberg, points out: “The article incorrectly states that the City was issued with a ‘directive’ from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to lift water restrictions. No directive to lift restrictions was issued to the City of Cape Town.

“In that very same article, a DWS spokesperson is quoted as saying, ‘It must be acknowledged that municipalities are autonomous in their decision making in respect of setting their own local restriction levels and determination of tariffs’.

“Furthermore DWS has indicated to the City that discussions around appropriate restrictions for 2020/21 will take place in November.

“Residents should please be informed that implementation of the lowest tariff level, the no restriction/water-wise tariff, is under consideration. This will provide slight relief if implemented.

“Possible lowering of tariffs must be balanced against the funds needed to build resilience against climate change, by investing in future water sources. This is to ensure water is reliably available for generations to come.

“The City assures residents that we do not budget for a profit/surplus from the sale of water, and seek to keep costs of service delivery as low as possible.”