Water Services By-law, 2004.

This By-law of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality concerns water supply and sanitation services in the area of jurisdiction of the City. The Council of the City shall be the sole supplier of water in the City. No person is permitted to have access to water services from a source other than the Council, without its written approval except that persons who were using water from a source may continue to do so but only with approval of the Council. The Council may require the person seeking approval to supply such services as may be specified in the approval to others on reasonable terms, which must be specified by the Council. The Council must take reasonable measures to realise the right of every person to a basic water supply and sanitation services as defined in the Act, subject to the limitations contained in the Act.
Water services rendered to a consumer are subject to the provisions of these By-laws and the conditions contained in the relevant agreement between the City and the consumer. No person may gain access to water services from the water supply system, sewage disposal system or any other sanitation services unless an agreement has been entered into with the Council for the rendering of those services. The Council may enter into a special agreement for the provision of water services to an applicant and may provide water services at various levels. Service Level 1 must satisfy the minimum standard for basic water supply and sanitation services as required in terms of the Water Services Act, 1997. The level of service to be provided to a community may be established in accordance with the policy of the Council and subject to the conditions determined by the Council. No obligation to provide services exists where, due to the nature of the topography, water services cannot be provided economically and/or cost effectively. Subject to the provisions of the Act, the supply of water by the Council does not constitute an undertaking by it to maintain at any time or any point in its water supply system - an uninterrupted supply; a specific pressure or rate of flow in such supply; or a specific standard of quality of water: Provided that if the water supply to a consumer is interrupted for more than 24 hours, the Council must provide an alternative basic water supply as soon as reasonably practicable. The By-law also provides with respect to connection of water services, measurement of supply and fees for services.
Owners of premises shall have certain obligations such as the prevention of water pollution and the backflow of water from the water installation to the water supply system. Whenever there is a scarcity of water available for distribution and supply to consumers, the Council may prohibit or restrict the use of water under its control or management, as contemplated in section 83A of the Local Government Ordinance. No person may discharge, or cause or permit the discharge or entry into any sewer of any sewage, industrial effluent or other liquid or substance as specified. Except when prohibited by any law, the Council may sell or dispose of sewage sludge, compost or animal manure resulting from the operation of any sewage treatment plant operated by the Council or sewage farm associated therewith. Every person desiring to dispose of industrial effluent into a sewage system must apply to the Council. Discharge shall comply with quality standards for disposal of industrial effluent. The Council may by endorsement on the permission concerned, relax or vary the standards and criteria if the Council is satisfied that any such relaxation represents the best practicable environmental option. If an EIA is required to be carried out before the provision of the water services can be approved or commenced, the applicant for such services shall be responsible for the carrying out of such EIA.