The City of Ekurhuleni is taking more serious measures to increase water savings as figures show an achieved savings rate of only 0.8%, significantly lower than the required 15%.

The extremely low water savings achieved since the implementation of water restrictions due to the drought means the city has had to table water reduction measures, namely a high punitive tariff.

Residents using more than 25 kl of water will be charged a 10% punitive rate. The 25kl is inclusive of the 6kl of free water supply provided to all household and domestic users.

Businesses and other users will be charged up to a 40% penalty if they fail to decrease their annual average usage by 15%. This average will be based on their consumption over 12 months, from September 2015 to August 2016.

Speaking at the City Meets Business endangerment event, MMC for Water and Sanitation Tiisetso Nketle asked the City’s top 100 consumers to implement risk management strategies amidst the current drought conditions.

“We appeal to you the business community to play a meaningful role in reducing water consumption demand by 15% in your daily operation by fixing water leaks and exploring alternative sources for water,” said Nketle.

Brian Ilsley, technical manager at Quality Beverages, expressed his gratitude for the city’s efforts to inform customers about the penalties and how they will be applied.

“This platform has revealed how dire these drought conditions are. We will go back to the drawing board and assess how we can implement our own water conservation methods to reduce water consumptions without crippling production as stated by the municipality,” said Ilsley.

The business owners in attendance were also advised on various water sources such as rain water harvesting, grey water recycling and drilling water boreholes.

 

Restrictions to be strongly enforced

The City says that municipal by-laws will strongly be enforced to transgressors as per the water restriction tariffs of 2016/2017. There will be a zero tolerance to illegal connection of water such as the use of fire hydrants or any other unauthorised water connection and consumption.

The City urges residents to double up efforts to save water. Restrictions currently in place include that there should be no use of hosepipes, sprinklers, irrigation systems, no filling of swimming pools at all times. In addition, there should be no watering of gardens between 6:00 and 18:00.