This By-law, comprising 131 sections, applies to all areas which fall under the jurisdiction of the eThekwini Municipality and aims to (i) ensure the efficient, affordable, economical and sustainable provision of water services taking into account financial, technological, socio-economic and conservation factors; (ii) provide for the duty of customers to pay reasonable charges and the Municipality to provide certain assistance to customers who are unable to meet normal service charges; (iii) allow for the right of the Municipality to limit or discontinue the provision of water services in appropriate circumstances; (iv) ensure the environment is protected for the benefit of present and future generations; (v) comply with the Water Services Act. The main provisions of the By-law concern (i) minimum standards and methods for the provision of potable water to households and informal settlements (Chapter 2); (ii) procedures for applying for water services, entering into special supply agreements, and terminating water supply contracts (Chapter 3); (iii) municipal water supply management, including requirements relating to connections, metering, conditions of supply, restrictions, interruptions, disconnections, and controls on water use (Chapter 4); (iv) water services for housing and development projects (Chapter 5); (v) procedures and requirements for obtaining municipal approval for the construction or modification of water installations (Chapter 6); (vi) testing, pressure testing, disinfection, and certification procedures to ensure that water installations are safe and compliant before being brought into use (Chapter 8); (vii) technical standards for the design and installation of water systems, including requirements for pipes, fittings, storage tanks, pumps, water heaters, valves, and solar water-heating systems (Chapter 9); (viii) water conservation measures, including obligations to repair leaks, improve water-use efficiency, and regulate water-consuming devices (Chapter 10); (ix) measures to protect water quality and prevent contamination, including controls relating to backflow and cross-connections that may endanger public health (Chapter 11); (x) protection of the Water Supply System, including prohibitions on unauthorized access to or interference with municipal water infrastructure, illegal connections, damage to infrastructure, and pollution affecting the system (Chapter 14); (xi) water tariffs, billing, payment obligations, subsidies, leak policies, insurance arrangements, and customer liability for water-related charges (Chapter 15).
Afrique du Sud · 2023-03-30