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Earlier I Said That NMB’s Excuses Around Punitive Water Tariffs Were ‘Illogical’

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And now the DA and National Government seem to agree!

[Listen to Cllr Dries van der Westhuizen speak on this]

Dear Editor

Confirmation by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) that it has not imposed punitive water tariffs on Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) is a clear indication that the municipality’s refusal to do away with these tariffs is unnecessary and an intentional decision to continue to milk cash strapped consumers dry.

In response to a letter by the DA to provide clarity on the current punitive tariffs imposed by Council the DWS replied that local water restrictions are at the discretion of local government and not the department.

NMB’s Senior Director of Water and Sanitation, Barry Martin, has repeatedly stated that NMB’s restrictions have been enforced by the DWS. He has maintained this narrative despite the DA reminding him that in accordance with the Water Services Act this responsibility resides with the municipality. The response from the DWS vindicates the DA’s stance on the matter.

Since November 2023 the Speaker of Council, Eugene Johnson, has repeatedly refused to table the DA’s motion to debate punitive water tariffs. The MMC for Infrastructure and Engineering, Khanya Ngqisha, stated in Council that there is no reason to lower the punitive tariffs as it is only the DA voters who pay for water. He also refused to discuss this matter at the last oversight committee meeting.

The DA will now once again submit a motion to Council to debate relaxing and/or removing the restrictions and punitive tariffs.

Recently, it has come to light that the Metro has more than 7000 outstanding leaks. This is a direct result of the continued mismanagement in the department that has seen critical contracts with service providers lapse.

With the exception of one, all the dams providing water to NMB are full and are often overflowing. The DWS has significantly relaxed the water restrictions and there is currently a 5% restriction on extraction from the Kouga Dam and a 40% restriction on extraction from the Impofu Dam. The Metro’s boreholes are fully operational providing an additional 25Ml/d and the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works, providing in excess of 60% of the Metro’s water, has no restrictions.

The Metro’s Non-Revenue Water is in excess of 50%, but instead of putting action steps in place to reduce water losses, NMB continues to punish residents.

Currently the Metro is enforcing Part “C” of punitive water tariffs. This is not in accordance with the conditions for the provision of water services contained in the municipal bylaws, as Part “C” indicates an emergency situation.

There is no emergency and the DA believes that the present water restrictions are unfair, immoral and an unnecessary burden on residents.

The DA is working hard to rescue Nelson Mandela Bay. We are in your corner, fighting for you.

Regards

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

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This author is a 'catch-all' for occasional articles and letters written to MyPE. The Author of each article can be found in the signature at the bottom of each individual article.