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Calls for scrapping of punitive water tariffs in NMB as dams overflow

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[Listen to a sound clip from Cllr Dries van der Westhuizen.]

Dear Editor

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s (NMBM) stubborn refusal to remove punitive water tariffs, despite most dams overflowing, is completely irrational and has residents rightfully fuming!

At a time when residents must carefully consider every cent being spent as ongoing inflation deepens the cost-of-living crisis across South Africa, punitive water tariffs whilst dams are overflowing is a slap in the face.

The DA is calling on the NMBM to scrap the punitive tariffs and reconsider some of the water restrictions that have been put in place. This is the second time in nine months that all dams except the Impofu Dam are overflowing.

What makes the NMB Council’s refusal to relax water restrictions and punitive water tariffs even more bizarre is the fact that the Department of Water and Sanitation has extensively relaxed the bulk water restrictions imposed on the metro in the current water year.

There is no reason why the metro can’t follow suit and offer some relief to the cash-strapped public.

The DA has written to the Water and Sanitation (DWS) Director General, Dr Sean Philips, to request that DWS engage with the NMBM.

Earlier this year, the DWS gazetted significantly relaxed water restrictions on NMB, which included the following:

  • A 5% restriction on extraction for domestic use was placed on the Kouga and Loerie Dams Scheme for both the NMB and Kouga Local Municipalities;
  • A 40% restriction on extraction for domestic use was placed on the Churchill and Impofu Dams;
  • No further restrictions on other sub-schemes and groundwater use within the Algoa WSS and the relevant parts of the primary catchments within which the Algoa WSS occurs were imposed.

Considering the aforementioned, the overall average curtailment on NMB water use from all water resources for domestic and industrial use is calculated at an average of 13%.

The restrictions on the Groendal Dam were lifted in its entirety, and the restrictions on the Churchill and Impofu Dams were significantly reduced from 70% to 40%.

As municipal tariff increases loom, and considering the overflowing dams, it is immoral for NMBM to expect water consumers to pay punitive tariffs.

The water crisis is over and the public deserves to be rewarded for their assistance in curtailing their usage amidst one of the most extended and intense droughts on record.

Apart from asking DWS to intervene, the DA will also table an urgent motion at the NMB Council to discuss this matter immediately. We are resolute in our fight to get the nonsensical punitive tariffs set aside.

The DA is in your corner, fighting for you. Together, we can get NMB working again.

Regards

Cllr Dries van der Westhuizen
DA NMB Spokesperson for Infrastructure and Engineering

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