Jozi water cuts: 'A struggle because I am a gardener'

Households in the city that have high water consumption are facing cost increases with the introduction of new water-restriction tariffs.

Johannesburg - Households in the city that have high water consumption are facing cost increases with the introduction of new water-restriction tariffs.

One family will see their water bill go up by about R40 a month if they do not reduce their consumption.

Linda Hangar, who lives in Berario near Northcliff, said the six people who lived on her property used about 32 kilolitres of water last month, bringing their water bill to R534.75 (including VAT).

On Monday, the City of Joburg announced that households that used more than 20 kilolitres of water a month would face higher tariffs.

Those with a consumption of between 20 and 30 kilolitres would pay 10 percent more, while a 20 percent increase was in store for those using between 30 and 40 kilolitres and a 30 percent increase for consumption of more than 40 kilolitres.

Should Hangar's household water consumption still be at 32 kilolitres next month, she could expect to receive a bill of R573.88 (including VAT).

Although Hangar's family were trying to save water after the level 2 restrictions were announced in November last year, she was adamant she wouldn't let her garden suffer as a result of the increased tariffs, a point of contention between her and her husband.

"All those plants cost a huge amount of money and they're going to die. I try to plant indigenous, but it still needs to be watered."

Hangar said she tried as much as possible to use recycled water.

"We've got pipes attached to the outlet pipes for the bath and shower water and that goes straight into the garden. So at least they're getting a bit of water, even if there's shampoo in it.

"I don't water my grass, I'm not topping up the pool and I'm trying to use water minimally within the (water-restriction) times, but sometimes it's not possible."

She still used sprinklers on a small section of the garden in the early hours of the morning but the pot plants and roses were watered by hand.

According to the restrictions, consumers are not permitted to water or irrigate their gardens between 6am and 6pm. Only hand-held hose pipes, buckets or watering cans can be used to water gardens outside these hours. The use of sprinklers is not permitted.

Hangar added: "I'm doing the absolute bare necessities, but it is a struggle because I am a gardener and I want a pretty garden."

She said their next water bill would probably be a wake-up call for the family, but she was confident that the restrictions wouldn't be in place for too long.

Meanwhile, on a Facebook post Randburg resident Anneli Appelgryn said it would be difficult to reduce her water consumption any further.

"What Joburg Water does not take into account is the fact that residents do not use 40 percent of water for gardens in winter. If you have not watered your garden for the past three months, there is not a huge saving possible for many residents," she said.

"Most of us already shower instead of bath and are applying water-saving techniques, so saving an additional 15 percent on your current lower water bill is practically impossible."

Anthony Still, member of the mayoral committee for environment and infrastructure services, pointed out last week that 40 percent of the water used in Gauteng was on gardens.

The city had to reduce its water consumption by 15 percent in urban areas and 20 percent in rural areas in accordance with recently gazetted legislation.

@Gabi_Falanga

HOW TO WORK OUT YOUR WATER BILL

The first 6 kilolitres are free. Thereafter, the next 4 kilolitres cost R7.14 each.

Ten to 15 kilolitres costs R12.07 a kilolitre, while the next 5 kilolitres - in the 15 to 20 kilolitre bracket - are charged at R17.65 each.

Thereafter, the new water-restriction tariffs kick in.

The next 10 kilolitres, in the 20 to 30 kilolitre bracket, will cost R26.43 a kilolitre.

The following 10 kilolitres in the 30 to 40 kilolitre bracket will cost R30.97 a kilolitre and anything more than 40 kilolitres will be charged at R41.95 a kilolitre.

Once you have the total, multiply it by 1.14 to factor in the 14 percent VAT charge. One kilolitre equals 1 000 litres.

gabi.falanga@inl.co.za

The Star