KNYSNA FAST APPROACHING DAY ZERO - GIFT OF GIVERS

Residents face 100% hike in water bills as severe drought measures kick In

- NICOLA DANIELS

GREATER Knysna residents will now pay 100% more on top of their current water bills, as the municipality rolls out harsh new drought tariffs to curb nonessential water use during the severe shortage.

"The implementation of Level 4 water restrictions triggers the application of Stage 3 drought tariffs, in line with the approved Water Services Tariff Policy. These tariffs are designed as a demand-management tool to discourage excessive and nonessential water use during periods of severe water scarcity," said Knysna municipality spokesperson, Nwabisa Pondoyi.

According to the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework, stage 3 for the 2025/26 period, means an additional 100% of the approved water consumption tariff will be applied, "only if Akkerkloof Dam is at 30% or the river flow is at 200 litres per second and when consumption is more than 25kl per month. The increase will be implemented from 25kl consumption up".

Residential customers will pay R46.52 per kilolitre for water consumption between 25 kL and 40 kL, the tariff document states.