GRAAFF-REINET residents are not impressed with the much higher than normal municipal accounts that they received this month.
One of the reasons accounts have soared is the new drought water tariff that has been put into effect from July 1 by the Beyers Naudé Local Municipality.
The unexpected increases have led to many residents receiving accounts amounting to double what they were used to paying.
The new water tariffs (including VAT) are as follows (with old tariffs in brackets):
- Water availability:
R54.08 (R51.03)
0 – 15 kl (kilolitre) R9.49/kl (R5.09)
16 – 25 kl R11.39/kl (R7.04)
>25 kl R13.44/kl (R13.44)
- Drought Tariff:
16 – 25 kl R22.77/kl
- Drought Tariff:
>25 kl R26.89/kl
“Another change implemented by BNLM, without informing residents is that where there used to be a separate rates account for those who paid monthly, now there is only one account with an annual tariff for sewerage,” says Liz Buisman of the Graaff-Reinet Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRPA).
This means that most residents were billed R1 597.07 to R1 639.16 for sewerage. However, according to Wilca Smith, acting communications officer of BNLM, residents may apply at the finance office to change their rates and services to a monthly account.
“Yearly accounts are only due by the end of September, where the full amount must be paid,” says Smith.
Many residents have taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction with BNLM not giving ample public notice of the intended water tariff hikes, but BNLM disagrees. “There was mayoral outreach where the tariffs were presented to the community.
“The notice about the increase was placed in the Mid-Karoo Express as well, as we are aware that not all people buy The Advertiser,” Smith said.
“The Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality undertook a study to verify whether all tariffs were cost reflective. The result of the study indicated that the services were being rendered at a huge loss to council; therefore council resolved to implement the cost reflective tariff. It is a requirement from the department that a drought tariff be implemented during a drought period.
“The municipality was already declared a drought stricken area three years ago, and the local community is continuing to use water as though we are not experiencing water shortages.
“The drought tariff is to penalise clients using more than 15 kl of water, as at this stage it is a scarce resource and we are solely borehole dependent,” Smith says.
Ricardo Smith, Ward 2 councillor of BNLM, has invited residents to a ward meeting on Tuesday, August 20.
“I hope that we will be able to assist residents in understanding the new tariffs and sorting out any mistakes that may have occurred,” Ricardo Smith told Mid-Karoo Express.
