Why residents pay separate sewerage charges

By Cindy Witten
19 January 2009

Alderman Clive Justus, Mayoral Committee Councillor for the Utilities Portfolio which includes the Water and Waste Water Department says that residents often query why they are required to pay separate sewerage charges.

The reason for this, according to Alderman Justus, is to cover the costs of paying for waste water or sewerage to be treated. The process of treating waste water or sewerage is an expensive one. Thus, the City has added an additional charge.

According to a press release issued by the Department, Alderman Justus is quoted as saying that the rate is calculated at 70% of the volume of water consumed per household.

“70% is an average figure that has been shown, both in South Africa and globally, to be a realistic annualised portion of the of water that is supplied to the home, and goes back into the sewers from toilets, baths, showers, sinks and washing machines. The remaining 30% is used for a variety of other purposes, including swimming pools and gardening and is not returned to the sewers. This makes 70% a good, realistic and justifiable tariff for single residential properties.”

“You get your basic amount of water for free, and then the more water you use on a step tariff, the more you would pay. In terms of the sewerage, you are paying for the treatment according to the amount of water that you have used,” said Alderman Justus.