Staff Reporter
The City of Johannesburg on Wednesday confirmed that from 1 July, water would increase by 12.5%, sanitation by 11%, electricity by 8.63%, refuse removal by 6.2%, and property rates by 3.6%.
The increases, which had previously formed part of the city’s budget and public participation process, have now been approved by council as part of the 2026/2027 budget and will take effect with the approved Property Rates Policy.
The city said the tariff adjustments were informed by key cost drivers, including increases in bulk electricity and water purchases, ongoing infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, and the need to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the municipality.
The confirmation follows stakeholder engagement sessions held on 9 and 10 June.
The city said the engagements formed part of its “ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability and customer education” after council approved the final budget and associated tariff adjustments.
According to the city, the sessions gave officials an opportunity to explain the rationale behind the approved tariffs, discuss the key cost drivers influencing municipal finances and outline the anticipated impact on customers ahead of implementation.
The engagements also built on the public participation process undertaken through the Integrated Development Plan consultations, during which residents and stakeholders were invited to give input on the budget, service tariffs and Property Rates Policy before council considered and approved the final budget.
The city said the stakeholder sessions enabled it to provide a comprehensive overview of the approved tariff adjustments, explain the rationale behind the increases, outline the anticipated impact on residents, businesses and property owners, and create a platform for “engagement, clarification and constructive dialogue”.
It said the engagements formed part of an effort to ensure stakeholders were adequately informed and empowered to understand how municipal tariffs are structured and how they contribute to the delivery of essential services.
“These engagements are not only about communicating the approved changes, but also about building a shared understanding of the financial realities facing the City and the collective responsibility required to sustain service delivery. Informed customers are better positioned to engage constructively with the City and make use of the support mechanisms available to them,” said Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, Kgamanyane Maphologela.
The city encouraged residents and stakeholders to use its digital and customer service platforms, including the Customer Service Delivery Mobile App, eJoburg, e-Services, customer service centres, and approved banking channels to access municipal accounts, make payments, log service requests, update customer information, and receive municipal updates.
It said it would continue to provide support to qualifying customers through initiatives including the Debt Relief Programme Phase 4 and the Expanded Social Package.
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