Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning,
Pierre Uys
6 March 2009
It has come to the attention of Local Government, Environmental and
Development Planning Minister, Pierre Uys that the water supply to certain
households in various parts of the Waterskloof municipal area has been
discontinued and some limited by means of the so-called drip system.
Minister Uys has urged the municipality in a letter addressed to the
executive mayor, Mr Chris Punt, to restore the water supply without delay to
affected households as it dehumanise these people, discriminate and is
unfair.
âI am very concerned that the discontinuation, interruption or limiting of
the water supply to households, especially unacceptable action against the
vulnerable like the poor, women, children and infirm, could pose serious health
risks or be life threatening given the unusually high temperatures being
experienced,â Minister Uys said.
In his letter he stated:
Case law established that water disconnections must be fair and equitable, a
municipality cannot disconnect water if a consumer can prove that he or she is
unable to pay for it, the municipality must give reasonable notice of the
intention to disconnect water and must provide an opportunity for
representation, and once water is disconnected, the municipality must prove
that it did so legally.
Bare minimum national standards for the prescribed âBasic Water Supplyâ must
be adhered to when the limitation of water flow is enforced. These include: A
minimum flow rate of not less than 10 litres per minute and a minimum quantity
of potable water of six kiloliters per household per month. Where there are
more than eight people in the household, the allocation must be increased by 25
litres per person per day.
âA blanket approach is not acceptable, as each household/case should be
assessed on its own merit,â Uys wrote.
Enquiries:
Cobus Grobler
Cell: 073 133 7299
Issued by: Local Government, Western Cape Provincial Government
6 March 2009
