CASH-STRAPPED ratepayers, already battling the high cost of living and enduring the effects of a faltering economy, will soon also be hit with increased water bills if the government has its way.
Talks are under way to stop providing 6000 litres of water a month free to residents deemed able to pay for all the water they consume.
Since 2001 the government has been allocating free basic water to consumers indiscriminately. But this might come to an end if proposals on the table are made law.
For the average household with a monthly water bill of R919, factoring the cost of the 6kl into the equation – at the lowest tariff category – will add about R150 to the bill.
SA Local Government Association (Salga) water services director William Moraka confirmed yesterday that talks on the new policy had begun.
The move has incensed social activists, however. Lee Cahill, formerly of the now-defunct Joburg Advocacy Group, attacked the plan, saying it was unconstitutional.
Cahill argued that ratepayers should continue to enjoy the free monthly allocations as their rates and taxes subsidised the scheme.
It also emerged yesterday that municipalities might be losing millions, even billions, in revenue through the way they charge for water.
Moraka said because of this, Salga would need to look at how its members priced water, signalling another possible tariff increase. - Olebogeng Molatlhwa