A new ‘drought charge’ is planned to come into effect on February 1, 2018.
The charge, essentially a levy to help alleviate the drought crisis, has been tabled by the City of Cape Town and property owners are expected to pay a monthly fee of R35. Mayor Patricia de Lille first made mention of the upcoming levy last month, where it was announced that additional funds would be needed to supplement the City’s water augmentation programme – funds to the annual value of R1-billion over the course of four years.
“The drought charge is necessary to ensure water supply for all residents as acute water shortages will have dire implications for all residents and the local economy. Combating this unprecedented drought requires a partnership with the city and residents whose help is crucial to enable the city to bring additional water supply online,” read a statement issued by the City of Cape Town.
“In order to provide some additional funding for the daily provision of clean water, a temporary charge has been considered for the duration of the period of recovery of the dams – a period estimated to be about three winter seasons.”
“This drought charge, if based on property valuations, is deemed the most progressive of the options while being the most equitable and fair to poor households. It is also an administratively efficient system that allows for the adverse economic incidence to be minimised in accordance with the provisions in the Rates Policy.”
Photography City of Cape Town