The annual municipal tariff increases took effect from July 1.<\/p>\n
In order to cushion indigent residents from these increases, the metro has revised its policy on the provision of six kilolitres (kl) of water free to all residents so that more indigents can be accommodated.<\/p>
Therefore, residents who are not registered indigents, and whose property value exceeds R750 000, will notice from their monthly statements that they are being charged for all consumed water and sanitation.<\/p>\n
To accommodate more destitute members of society, the metro has adopted the revised indigent support policy which has resulted in an increased minimum income threshold from R3 200 to R5 090.<\/p>
While delivering his budget recently, MMC for Finance and Economic Development Clr Doctor Xhakaza said although the metro had provided all of its ratepayers with free basic water over the past decade, the practice was in contrast with national policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe national allocation to municipalities excludes non-indigent households,\u201d said Xhakaza, as he explained why Ekurhuleni had to reconsider its policy.<\/p>\n
The water tariff also increased by 12.96 per cent from July 1, which is the same increase pronounced by Rand Water \u2013 the metro\u2019s bulk water supplier.<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t put gutter water down your drains<\/a><\/p>\n Pharmacy medication collection to make life easier for clinic patients<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sanitation tariffs increased by nine per cent, which is informed by the cost of sewer purification processes undertaken by ERWAT.<\/p>\n Properties which use water for household purposes, including old age homes and hostels, are charged, on a sliding scale, R10.21 per kilolitre for 0 to 6kl per month consumption, to a maximum of R31.60 for 46kl or more kilolitre consumption per month.<\/p>\n Another important point to note is that property owners are liable for the cost of relocation of a meter if the meter becomes inaccessible due to the installation of a fence or wall (as per the council approved tariffs).<\/p>\n The same applies to the replacement of a water meter where a water connection exists, as well as testing of a water meter for accuracy.<\/p>\n For more details on the tariffs visit www.ekuhruleni.gov.za.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n