Sewage charges proposed for Durban

Frequent trips to the toilet may end up costing you more money, if Durban city officials have their way.

Residents may soon find their utility bills reflecting a separate amount for sewage charges.

Changes to the method of charging for the disposal of sewage was to come up for approval at the city's executive meeting today.

The city's head of the water and sanitation department, Neil Macleod, said the council were considering the introduction of a volume-based charge from July.

He called the proposed new system "much fairer" than the current one, in which charges are based on a "deemed value" of the cost of the service.

"Water and sewage are closely linked and, in some cases, more water is needed to dispose of sewage," said Macleod.

Those households who consume more water will pay higher sewage charges and vice versa.

He added that eThekwini would follow the metros of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Tshwane, which had already introduced volume-based sewage charges.

While the amount per kilolitre still had to be confirmed, Macleod said it was around the R3 mark.

The city council has yet to approve the new charging system.

The system would replace sewerage charges, which are presently included as part of property rates.

Macleod said lower-income residents whose homes had semi-pressure water supply, were already subject to sewerage rates, and so would not be charged increased amounts.

Posted at 08:10AM Jan 27, 2010 by Editor in Residential  |