Joburg's water levy is now R107.74 a month. A court will rule if it's legal

Johannesburg households are paying R107.74 a month in the City's water demand management levy, up from R65.08, while the High Court decides whether the 65.6% increase was lawful. The court heard the case on 2 November and reserved judgment without setting a date (Newsday).

The levy is a fixed monthly charge on every household connected to the municipal water network, even one that uses no water at all. It sits on top of the normal water tariff, which is based on how many kilolitres you use (Newsday).

How much more are you paying?

Source: Newsday

That is R42.66 more a month on the levy alone, or about R512 a year. On top of that, the City's water tariff went up 12.5% and sanitation 11% from 1 July (BusinessTech).

Why is AfriForum in court?

AfriForum argues that the City has not disclosed how it calculated the new amount or why such a large jump was needed, and says this kept residents from commenting properly during public participation (Newsday, AfriForum). It estimates the levy brings in about R150 million a month, or R1.8 billion a year (AfriForum, Newsday). Those are AfriForum's figures, not the City's.

The City's position in court was that the charge is legally valid and pays for keeping water infrastructure and services running (Newsday).

What has the court decided so far?

Nothing on the merits yet. Here is how the case has moved:

Source: Newsday

Do you still have to pay it?

Yes, for now. No court has set the increase aside, and residents have been billed the higher amount since 1 July (AfriForum). If you think your bill is wrong for another reason, such as an incorrect meter reading, query it with the City directly.

Why is this coming up now?

The case is back in the news after the local elections, as Johannesburg heads into coalition talks for a new council (BusinessTech). Whoever forms the next City government will inherit the levy and the court's eventual ruling.