Paarden Eiland plant ‘will increase water tariffs’

MAYCO Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, confirmed the expected impact on tariffs after a feasibility study, tabled at a mayoral committee meeting, has indicated that the proposed R35 billion Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant could result in a steep water tariff hike.

- THEOLIN TEMBO.

The study indicated that the plant could significantly increase water bills within the first two years of operating, with an approximate “additional project-specific water tariff increase (over and above the base inflationary increase) of 6.57% and 6.63%” in the first two years of operating.

The city plans for the plant to produce between 50 million and 70 million litres of potable water per day, forming part of the New Water Programme, which aims to secure an additional 300 million litres of water from diversified sources.

Badroodien said “all capital projects, including the New Water Programme projects, impact tariffs due to costs” and that capital projects are a smart investment to secure water and avoid significant detrimental economic impact associated with exposure to climate change and droughts.