Source: The South African
Date: 2017-12-05
It is all but confirmed that from February next year, Cape Town will be introducing a “water tax” or a water levy or a water surcharge. Call it whatever you will.
The purpose of the charge is to raise more capital for long-term drought solutions. But it’s also a bit of a Catch22. Since the City is generating less income from water – with everybody saving so much – they are collecting less revenue. Thus meaning less money to pay for solutions.
But just how much will you have to pay?
Let’s take a look.
Cape Town’s proposed water levy charges
| Residential property value (in ZAR) | Water tax (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| 400k | none |
| 600k | 35 |
| 800k | 45 |
| 1m | 50 |
| 2m | 115 |
| 3m | 170 |
| 4m | 225 |
| 5m | 280 |
| 6m | 340 |
| 7m | 420 |
| 10m | 565 |
| 20m | 1120 |
| 50m | 2800 |
But really, if your property is valued at R4 million, we’re pretty sure you can afford the R200 a month to pay your surcharge. Weren’t you spending that on filling your pool before restrictions anyway?
The City of Cape Town is searching for an additional R1bn per year while the dams recover from the unprecedented drought conditions.
Cape Town’s water use has spiked over the last few weeks. With rainy season well and truly over and the tourist season set to begin, it’s crunch time to avoid day zero.
This post is sponsored by Chas Everitt Cape Town South