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 Civil Engineering Services addresses Water Services, Water and Sanitation By-laws and a new Public Transport By-Law

DRAFT WATER SERVICES BY-LAW TO RESTRICT THE USE OF WATER

The purpose of the Water Restrictions by-law is to regulate and restrict the use of potable water in the George Municipal Area.  South Africa’s status as a water-scarce country is reflected in the formulation of our legislative framework pertaining to water. This legislation has placed emphasis on water scarcity and the effective management of national resources coupled with the need to rectify historical inequalities and promote justice and equity in the availability and use of water resources.

The three principal sources of national water legislation are the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996, the National Water Act 36 of 1998 and the Water Services Act 108 of 1997. The executive power to deliver water services falls, in terms of the Constitution, on local government. The statutory legislative framework for effective management of local government consists of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003.

The Water Restriction by-law provides a mechanism for the George Municipality to secure, control, manage and protect our highly valued water resources.  Minor amendments were made and the By-law deals with the restriction of the supply of water services under certain circumstances, measures for the promotion of water conservation and the procedure to institute such restrictions. One of the Water Restriction “triggers” is linked to dam levels and other raw water resources in terms of the Drought Management Policy that is currently under review (as part of the Bulk Raw Water Resources Study update/review). This policy allows the introduction of water restrictions for any number of valid reasons. The Tariff Policy will also be amended in 2023/24 to remove any reference to a specific cause as related to the Emergency Tariffs.

 

DRAFT WATER AND SANITATION BY-LAW
The purpose of the Water and Sanitation bylaws are to regulate the provision of water and sanitation services in the area of jurisdiction of the George Municipality and to provide for matters connected therewith.  South Africa’s status as a water-scarce country is reflected in the formulation of our legislative framework pertaining to water. This legislation has placed emphasis on water scarcity and the effective management of national resources coupled with the need to rectify historic inequalities and promote justice and equity in the availability and use of water resources. The executive power to deliver water and sanitation services falls, in terms of the Constitution, on local government.

The Water and Sanitation by-law provides a mechanism for the George Municipality to secure, control and manage water and sanitation services within the sphere of local government as highlighted above.  Some of the improvements entail the following:

The amended by-law makes provision for improved water quality control and will ensure that potable water distributed for consumption will comply with the standards as prescribed in SANS 0241. The amended by-law also allows for the testing of defective water meters. If a consumer has reason to believe that a water meter is defective, he or she may apply in writing to the Municipality to have the meter tested free of charge. Many more improvements on the existing water and sanitation bylaw were made by officials and representatives of the George Municipality.

NEW DRAFT PUBLIC TRANSPORT BY-LAW
The Public Transport By-Law is an important new addition to Council’s By-Laws which sets out to better regulate and manage matters related to all modes of public transport, including minibus taxis and buses. The by-Law deals with matters such as the use of public transport infrastructure, controlled facilities, administrative matters, as well as conditions related to the behaviour of both passengers and public transport operators and drivers. This by-Law also greatly strengthens the enforcement framework within which traffic and law enforcement officers can effectively ensure the safety and security of public transport passengers and road users alike.

The principles and objectives of this By-law are to:-

  1. Provide a regulatory framework for the public transport service provided within the municipal area, subject to and in addition to the Act and other legislation, and to provide for ancillary aspects such as a framework for safety and security in relation to public transport.
  2. Ensure that the provision of public transport services within the municipal area are provided for and executed in a safe and secure environment that is regulated and managed appropriately.
  3. Control and regulate the use of public transport facilities for public transport services and their operations.
  4. Promote the effective and efficient operation of public transport that serves the travelling public within the municipal area.
  5. Provide for the promotion of non-motorised transport in support of public transport infrastructure and operations, and
  6. Provide for the promotion of universal access, to the maximum extent possible, in the provision of public transport infrastructure, support infrastructure and services provided.

The aim of this By-Law is to ensure that all road users and public transport passengers, irrespective of the modal choice, experience a safer journey and that Municipal public transport infrastructure is well-managed and efficiently utilised.

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Full particulars of the proposed amendments to the above By-laws and the proposed adoption thereof are available for inspection at the following places:

  1. Old Town Hall Building: York street, Civil Engineering Services
  2. Libraries: George Library; Blanco Library; Conville Library; Pacaltsdorp Library; Thembalethu Library; Uniondale / Haarlem Library;
  3. Municipality’s Website: https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/documents/bylaws-and-regulations/civil-engineering-services/

Written comments to the intention of the Municipality as outlined above, if any, must be lodged:

  1. via mail to reach the Director: Civil Engineering Services, P.O. Box 19, George, 6530 before 12 June 2023 ; or
  2. via e-mail with subject line “Comment to CES By-laws ” to gvanniekerk@george.gov.za and copied to post@george.gov.za

Any person who is unable to write, can submit their input, verbally to the Council’s offices where they will be assisted by a staff member to put their comments in writing. Enquiries can be directed to Mr Jannie Koegelenberg (044 801 9278 ).