As a result of the ongoing unseasonal heat and drought, the City of Johannesburg has introduced water restriction tariffs on domestic users effective with immediate effect.
“Level 2 water use restrictions have been in place in Johannesburg from November 2015. The city is now introducing a water restriction tariff on domestic users effective on water usage from September 2016,” said Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Anthony Still.
The Director General of the Department of Water and Sanitation in the Government Gazette of 12 August 2016 reduced the amount of water that can be taken from the Integrated Vaal River System by 15% on urban water use and 20% on irrigation water use – with immediate effect.
Johannesburg Water was informed by Rand Water, its main supplier, on 24 August 2016 that it would be cutting on supply by 15% as from 6 September 2016.
“This will be achieved by governing the flow of water through the bulk supply meters to Johannesburg Water. It will be managed in a dynamic manner as the supply areas have different sensitivity characteristics and a straight 15% across all meters will cause outages in some areas,” said Still.
When the tariffs were endorsed by the city for the 2016/17 year, which started in July, water restriction tariffs were endorsed to be implemented only if necessary.
“This is now the case, and these tariffs will apply on consumption from September until the drought situation is over,” said Still.
The restriction tariffs are 10% extra on consumption between 20 000 litres and 30 000 litres per month; 20% on consumption between 30 000 and 40 000 litres per month and 30% on consumption above 40 000 litres per month.
Still said the Johannesburg Metro Police Department have been requested to police compliance.
Level 2 water use restrictions mean all consumers must not water or irrigate their gardens between 6am and 6pm; use hand held hosepipes or buckets/watering cans outside these hours; not to fill their swimming pools with municipal water and not to use hosepipes to wash their cars or to clean paved areas and driveways with water
If borehole water is being used this must be clearly advertised.
Water restrictions in Orange River
Meanwhile, the Department of Water and Sanitation has for the first time in 24 years imposed water restrictions in the Orange River.
The restrictions imposed include 15% for farmers that irrigate and by 10% for industrial and domestic use.
The restrictions were gazetted under Notice 910 in Gazette 40203.
“The Water Users Association will monitor and implement the restrictions along the Orange River to the farmers, whilst the municipalities will monitor and implement restrictions for domestic and industrial water usage. All stakeholders have been notified of these restrictions,” the department said.
Currently the Caledon River is under a 75% water restriction for irrigation.
