News / Local
Byo mulls re-introducing water tariffs
04 Nov 2010 at 04:56hrs | Views
BULAWAYO City Council is planning to reintroduce water tariffs to force residents to conserve water.
The tariffs had been scrapped and a fixed monthly charge of US$0,66 put in place when the water levy was reduced by 50 percent in April.
In an interview on Tuesday, city director of engineering services Engineer Simela Dube said the tariffs were expected to force residents to conform to council water rationing limits.
"Those who keep within prescribed daily consumption limits will pay less than US$9 a month for water used and those who abuse water are set to pay significantly more," he said.
Eng Dube said there will be three levels of tariffs with residents paying more per kilolitre as their water usage surpassed each of the three bands.
"Basically, those who use water within the ration limit (14 000 litres a month) will pay US$0,60 per kilolitre.
"Those who use up to 18 kilolitres will pay US$1,20 for every kilolitre, while residents who will have used more than 18 kilolitres will pay US$1,80 per kilolitre," he said.
Eng Dube said the system meant that those who exceeded the first band would pay twice as much per kilolitre for the first 14 000 litres as those who were within the rationing limit while those who surpassed the second band would pay three times more.
"Currently, no water consumption charges are reflecting on the water bills.
"This (tariff increase) might affect the water rationing strategy as people had the tendency to use water without any charges and in turn wantonly increase water consumption," said Eng Dube.
At a water crisis meeting last month, Eng Dube said it was imperative for council to charge water rates that were reflective of the scarcity of the resource.
The tariffs had been scrapped and a fixed monthly charge of US$0,66 put in place when the water levy was reduced by 50 percent in April.
In an interview on Tuesday, city director of engineering services Engineer Simela Dube said the tariffs were expected to force residents to conform to council water rationing limits.
"Those who keep within prescribed daily consumption limits will pay less than US$9 a month for water used and those who abuse water are set to pay significantly more," he said.
Eng Dube said there will be three levels of tariffs with residents paying more per kilolitre as their water usage surpassed each of the three bands.
"Basically, those who use water within the ration limit (14 000 litres a month) will pay US$0,60 per kilolitre.
"Those who use up to 18 kilolitres will pay US$1,20 for every kilolitre, while residents who will have used more than 18 kilolitres will pay US$1,80 per kilolitre," he said.
Eng Dube said the system meant that those who exceeded the first band would pay twice as much per kilolitre for the first 14 000 litres as those who were within the rationing limit while those who surpassed the second band would pay three times more.
"Currently, no water consumption charges are reflecting on the water bills.
"This (tariff increase) might affect the water rationing strategy as people had the tendency to use water without any charges and in turn wantonly increase water consumption," said Eng Dube.
At a water crisis meeting last month, Eng Dube said it was imperative for council to charge water rates that were reflective of the scarcity of the resource.
Source - Herald
