Cape Town water tariff up by 390%

Cape Town experienced the steepest hike in water tariffs out of 512 cities around the world this year, according to The Global Water Tariff Survey.

Water and sewerage tariffs rose by 390% in Cape Town according to The Global Value of Water survey that was conducted in 191 countries.

The city reeled under the worst drought in the past 100 years until winter rains brought relief.

The tariff hike was intended to limit water consumption in households, by charging for those using more than the allocated 50 litres per person per day.

The punitive tariff – combined with increased watersaving awareness and behaviour, and residents drilling their own boreholes – cut the city’s peak water usage by 54%.