https://www.engineeringnews.co.za
Africa|Financial|Health|Industrial|Infrastructure|Sanitation|Service|Services|Systems|Water|Infrastructure
Africa|Financial|Health|Industrial|Infrastructure|Sanitation|Service|Services|Systems|Water|Infrastructure
africa|financial|health|industrial|infrastructure|sanitation|service|services|systems|water|infrastructure

Department moots water tariff increases of up to 16.5%

13th September 2019

By: Natasha Odendaal

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

Font size: - +

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has proposed water resource infrastructure tariff increases of between 0% and 16.5% for industrial and domestic raw-water users.

Engaging various stakeholders late last month, the department set out to determine the appropriate increase for water tariffs for the 2020/21 financial year.

“This consultation is important, as it brings the department and its customers closer, and decisions taken are broadly well received,” the department says, noting that important issues raised by stakeholders will be considered prior to the finalisation, approval and implementation of the proposed water use charges.

“Water consultation affects various departments and role-players. It is crucial, therefore, that the tariffs be discussed because they also reflect the challenges that the DWS faces and the importance of tariff regulation,” explains DWS deputy director-general for water sector regulation Anil Singh.

South Africa invests R42-billion a year into water infrastructure and R13-billion for sanitation, says chief water resource planner Tendani Nditwani, emphasising the need for properly managed water and sanitation services, while ensuring financial sustainability.

This can be achieved through accurate billing and effective revenue management systems in all entities, including for agricultural, industrial, commercial and domestic users.

DWS acting deputy director-general for infrastructure development Leonardo Manus highlights the department’s work behind the scenes to ensure that water supply is not disrupted.

“Water sources and water volumes remain unchanged, and this is exacerbated by low rainfall across the country.”

Water quality will also be a determining factor in setting water tariffs.

Highlighting water pollution and compromised service delivery around water and sanitation, DWS acting chief director for water quality regulation Marius Keet laments a declining water quality as a result of urbanisation and economic development.

“Of the 186 monitored rivers, ecological health varies from good to very poor. It is important that there is a good water quality for users. We cannot increase water prices while water quality deteriorates,” he concludes.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Comments

Showroom

Magni SA
Magni SA

Magni SA is committed to developing the safest Telehandlers available to our customers for underground and surface mining, construction, forestry,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Yale Lifting Solutions
Yale Lifting Solutions

Yale Lifting Solutions is a leading supplier of lifting and material handling equipment in Southern Africa. Yale offers a wide range of quality...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.063 0.114s - 139pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now