Overstrand Municipality would like to inform residents that their municipal accounts may appear different this month due to the implementation of the annual tariff adjustments that came into effect on 1 July 2026.
Residents may notice two separate line items for water and conventional electricity consumption on their accounts. This occurs because a portion of the consumption is billed at the 2025/26 tariff, while the balance is billed at the 2026/27 tariff.
This is a normal annual process that takes place at the start of each financial year. Consumption recorded before 1 July is charged at the previous year’s tariff, while consumption recorded from 1 July onwards is charged at the new tariff. As a result, accounts may contain additional line items for services such as water, sewerage, and conventional electricity.
The annual tariff adjustments that came into effect on 1 July 2026 are:
- Property rates, refuse removal, water and sewerage: 5% increase
- Electricity: Various increases as prescribed in the approved tariff book, depending on the customer category
Municipal accounts remain payable even where a resident has a query or dispute relating to an account. Consumers are encouraged to contact the Municipality as soon as possible to resolve any concerns and, where necessary, make payment arrangements to avoid credit control action.
Credit control measures will continue to be applied in accordance with the Municipality’s Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy. Such measures may include the restriction of water services and the recovery of outstanding debt through auxiliary charges deducted from electricity purchases.
Households that qualify for indigent support are encouraged to apply for assistance. The indigent support programme provides relief to vulnerable households through free basic services and approved subsidies, helping to prevent municipal accounts from falling into arrears. Kindly also note that relief measures in the form of property rates rebates for pensioners are also granted and qualifying ratepayers must submit an application.
For enquiries or assistance, please contact Overstrand Municipality through the normal customer care channels.
