Drought tax not lifted by Cape’s dam good rains
Awash in water, city clings to levy foisted on residents years ago
● Floods, overflowing dams and snowmen on Table Mountain … but the City of Cape Town refuses to drop water restrictions and extra tariffs imposed years ago when taps almost ran dry.
As of Friday, the city’s main dams were 94.3% full and set to rise further due to torrential rain this week that caused widespread flooding in Cape Town.
Two dams are officially overflowing after August rainfall had residents searching for records of comparable downpours so late in the year
The city council now faces a deluge of criticism about its water restrictions and associated tariffs aimed partly at paying for costly supply augmentation schemes.
“It is quite ridiculous,” said Xolani Sotashe, leader of the ANC opposition in the city council. “The dams are almost 100% full and they are not talking anything about taking the burden away from residents.”
Sotashe’s comments echo a growing chorus on social media, where residents are questioning the logic of a drought levy alongside downpours and bursting dams.
Sotashe said the city, rather than trying to look after its finances, should be alleviating ratepayers’ financial hardship caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.
“During this period we can be able to take some burden off our residents because they have been good to the city in terms of revenue collection. Those in control of the purse at the city, they are having none of that,” he said.
The council’s governing DA said restrictions and drought tariffs were intended to ensure there is enough capital to maintain an efficient water delivery system.
In addition, it may be too soon to celebrate a return to “normal” rainfall based on a few months of decent supply, according to Xanthea Limberg, the mayoral committee member for water and waste.
“Whilst the recent good rains have contributed to the increase in dam levels, the levels are also high due to the decrease [in] water demand,” Limberg said.
“Significant recent rainfall has pushed total rainfall for 2019/2020 close to the longterm average and dams are close to full for the first time since 2013/2014. This will of course prompt serious consideration that current water restrictions be further eased following the end of the rainy season [October 31].
“However, residents should please keep in mind that the impact of climate change in subsequent years is still uncertain and that this will also be factored into the eventual decision around restrictions.
“It is also important to keep in mind that Cape Town represents the largest consumer of water in the region and, as just one of various users of the Western Cape water supply system, the city has a responsibility to remain conscious of the broader network.”
Cape Town restructured its water tariffs during the drought when lower consumption reduced the revenue needed to pay for repairs, treatment and maintenance. The tariff also enabled the city to cover its costs and ensure supply, Limberg said.
“A reduction in tariffs will be dependent on an increase in consumption. Currently, the city is selling approximately 30% less water than before the drought, but is facing additional costs that come with increasing our resilience,” she said.
“It is important the city cover its costs to ensure that the maintenance and augmentation programmes can be carried out. Should the amount of water we are selling significantly increase, this will be factored into the tariffs, but given the uncertain impact of climate change, it may not be wise to actively encourage such an approach at this stage.”
The popular Water Shedding Western Cape Facebook page, with more than 145,000 followers, has been awash with comments about the city’s stance.
“This water crisis was the result of the DA/City of Cape Town complacency and lack of foresight (deliberate). The ends justify the means,” said Galiel Ebrahim.
But Willie Cuthgart defended the city’s stance, writing: “Water is almost more important than electricity, and it certainly causes far greater problems with its absence for a prolonged period of time than the lack of electricity would do to basic living conditions.”
Weather SA spokesperson Robin-Lee Batties said improved dam levels are also partly thanks to residents’ water-saving efforts, though “our main dam, Theewaterskloof outside Villiersdorp, received almost 30mm above average rain for August”.
“All in all, August has been an abundant month for us,” said Batties.
Recreational activities halted by the drought are back, including snowboarding on the Matroosberg near Ceres and inland yachting. Shortly after the government lifted the ban on alcohol sales last month, Theewater Sports Club on the banks of the Theewaterskloof Dam said it hoped to stage a “Dam Full Party” for the first time in six years.
“The campsite and restaurant are open to the public and we can even serve you a glass of your favourite tipple again,” the club said.