The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) this week embarked on consultations over the 2020/21 raw water tariffs.
The Vaal River User Forum 2020/21 raw water tariff consultation held this week was aimed at providing an overview of the legislative process and consulting with water users and stakeholders on the proposed raw water use charges for 2020/21 financial year.
“The consultation is aimed at getting all stakeholders to participate in the determination of appropriate tariffs, and also to encourage water users to take responsibility for paying for water use and to use the resource in a considerate manner,” explained DWS management accounting deputy director Sello Machitje.
The stakeholders affected by the tariff changes include the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, Rand Water, Eskom, Agri South Africa, Johannesburg Water, Sasol, Vaalhub, the Ekurhuleni municipality and the City of Joburg.
“The charges have been determined and set in a manner that will contribute to social equity, redress the imbalance of the past, protect ecological reserve, ensure financial sustainability and reflect the scarcity of water as an essential commodity,” he said.
The tariff will also ensure that any debt is fully paid by the end-user within a reasonable time period after considering affordability and future augmentation of the scheme.