Drakenstein Municipality announced lower water restrictions, and reduced tariffs from 1 November
From 1 November 2020, Level 0 water restrictions and accompanying reduced tariffs will apply in Drakenstein, allowing mostly unrestricted water use and bringing much needed financial relief to residents and businesses during the current tough economic times.
Residents will now be able to water their gardens daily before 10:00 and after 16:00, wash their cars, and top up their swimming pools with municipal drinking water. The Level 0 restrictions (according to the new four-level water restriction model) were approved by Alderman Conrad Poole, Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality, and officially noted by the Drakenstein Municipal Council at a Council meeting on 28 October 2020.
“Thanks to the abundant rains during the winter months and significantly higher dam levels in the Western Cape, Drakenstein Municipality has decided to lower our water restrictions to Level 0,” says Executive Mayor Poole. “We believe this will assist our community financially as many people and businesses are facing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown regulations.”
From 1 November 2020 onwards, all water consumers in Drakenstein will be able to water or irrigate gardens, lawns, flowerbeds and other plants, vegetable gardens, sports fields, parks and other open spaces with municipal drinking water before 10:00 and after 16:00 daily. They may also wash or rinse their vehicles, motor cycles or motor boats, movable or immovable structures, paths, pavements and paved areas. The topping up or filling of swimming pools with municipal drinking water is allowed, but only if the pool is fitted with a non-permeable solid pool cover. Automatic pool top-up systems are also allowed. Water consumers should note that all well points and boreholes, which are located within the municipal water network area, must be registered with Drakenstein Municipality.
From 1 November 2020, the new Level 0 (excluding 15% VAT) domestic water tariffs for residential consumers will be:
Under Level 0, the following restrictions will apply to non-residential consumers:
• Commercial carwash businesses must recycle at least 50% (strongly encouraged) of the total water consumed; • Washing of vehicles, trailers, caravans and boats with municipal drinking water is allowed; and • For users supplied with water in terms of special contracts (notarial deeds, water service intermediaries or water service providers), the contract conditions shall apply.
Ever wonder why Drakenstein Municipal water tariffs are linked to City of Cape Town?
Drakenstein Municipality purchases the bulk of its purified water from the City of Cape Town.
The City of Cape Town owns the Wemmershoek Dam near Franschhoek which supplies dedicated water pipelines of purified water to the towns of Wellington and Paarl.
Therefore tariffs for the piped water is determined in line with the City of Cape Town’s tariffs.
Source – Drakenstein Municipality Facebook Page