Raw water tariff consultations under way in Northern Cape
Raw water tariff consultations are being held in the Northern Cape. Picture: Department of Water and Sanitation
THE VAAL Orange Catchment Management Agency (VOCMA), in collaboration with the Department of Water and Sanitation in the Northern Cape, is hosting a two-day raw water tariff consultation with water users in the Province.
The first consultation took place in Upington on Monday and will convene in Kimberley on Wednesday.
The head of the Department of Water and Sanitation in the Northern Cape, Iketletso Lekalake, stated that it was critical to engage with water users in determining raw water tariffs in order to solicit their inputs and comments.
“This will be the first public engagement of VOCMA with its water users since its establishment in 2023 and operation as from April 1. The consultation will afford VOCMA opportunity to introduce the governing board and the interim chief executive as well as outlining of VOCMA’s vision and planned programmes … for the current financial year,” said Lekalake.
She added that the consultations would be handed to the minister by August 28 and concluded for implementation by October 30.
Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson Wisane Mavasa stated that the department, through the Infrastructure Management branch, had the responsibility to operate and maintain bulk Government Water Schemes in a sustainable manner.
“This is to ensure effective and efficient supply of bulk raw water for economic growth, social development and poverty eradication.”
Mavasa added that in order to supply water of an acceptable quality, maintain infrastructure and operate water treatment, bulk water distribution and reticulation to human settlements, the department required sustainable funding that was collected from water users through the water tariff.
“The pricing of water is based on user pay, polluter pay, ecological sustainability, differentiated charges, accountability and governance,” he said.