It is a well-known fact that most people in the Western Cape underestimated the reality and severity of the drought and were not adequately prepared for it.
The City of Cape Town municipality, however, seems to have been the most unprepared. One of the key indications of this is the long time it took it to start building water desalination plants.
As a result, many ratepayers in its municipal area have been “slammed” or “fined” with huge water bills in recent months.
This is despite the fact that most residents have made considerable efforts to try to save water.
Some people’s water statements even reflect more than a 100% increase in the payments that are due, even though the amount of water used does not differ significantly from their average monthly water usage.
It would also appear as if those who regularly pay their accounts in full by the due date, have been hardest hit by these high bills.
This is probably because of their proven ability to pay their accounts. This includes people in working-class areas.
Is it fair that ratepayers literally have to pay for the inefficiencies and delays of the municipality and provincial government in developing effective contingency plans?
How long will this trend of high water charges continue?
What is also of great concern is the unhelpful, ignorant and often disrespectful responses of municipal officials at various service points, which they provide on an enquiry.
Have they not had sufficient training to deal with these queries?
How to pay the account in full is not the issue.
The real issues are the exorbitant tariffs and incorrect water billing.
Even though we still have a long way to go, the current rains are bringing much-needed relief to our city.
Will this however also translate into any relief for ratepayers?
When will we once again see a municipal water billing system that is both accurate and fair to ratepayers?
What actions or campaigns are required on the part of homeowners, to try to change this bad state of affairs?