Cape Town defends fixed water tariffs in High Court battle

The City of Cape Town insists its household tariffs are lawful, constitutional and designed to protect lower and middle income households from paying higher property rates.

Lawyers for the City defended its decision to introduce fixed water and sanitation charges based on property value in a four-day court battle last week.

The SA Property Owners’ Association and the Cape Town Collective Ratepayers Association hauled the City to the Western Cape High Court to argue against the fixed tariffs.

Cape Town Collective Ratepayers’ Association Vice-Chairperson Bouwe van der Eems said the CTCRA supports the SA Property Owners’ Association's arguments against the City.

“SAPOA opened by arguing that the City’s new fixed charges are disguised property rates because they are tied to property values rather than actual service consumption.”

Bouwe said the City of Cape Town should be able to use alternative mechanisms that do not rely on property values for its levies.

“Rates may legally be based on property value, but service tariffs may not. CTCRA supported this argument, emphasizing that tariffs must reflect the cost of providing the service, not the value of a person's home.”

The City said Capetonians benefit from the lowest monthly bills, record infrastructure investment, and better service delivery, compared to other metros