Proposed drought charge needed to ensure functioning of water network
In the last few days of the public comment period for the proposed drought charge, I would like to again inform and remind residents on why this proposal is being made and why it is needed.
The drought charge is needed to make up the deficit in the City’s revenue which has come about due to residents’ water savings and paying significantly less for water and sanitation.
As I have stated before when tabling the proposed drought charge to Council last year, it is not intended to be punitive.
The reality is that because of reduced consumption, the City’s Water and Sanitation Department has projected that it will see a deficit in the region of R1,7 billion for 2017/18.
Without this vital income, the City will not be able to undertake the basic operations required to provide water and sanitation services to the people of Cape Town. There is a vast amount of infrastructure and systems making up the City’s water reticulation network which is operated daily by staff. This network also requires constant maintenance to ensure that water and sanitation services are supplied to consumers.