Increased water rates without communication. Is it legal?

Initially it was a great place to stay. The people mostly obeyed the rules and we had organised chaos with children playing and few squables. Then the "owner" decided to build phase 2 and apparently 3. We operate on a Smart Wallet System, managed by RMS (Remote Metering Systems). It mostly worked and was easy to transfer funds, check balances etc. Actually, it still is. However, as soon as the construction started the cost of water and sanitation soared. Where we got by during lockdown, being at home 24/7, with a R1050.00, we suddenly need to pay almost R2000.00 a month. Approximately R700 for electricity and R1300 for water and sanitation. Now somethings off kelter! A flat daily charge of approximately R40 a day whether you're there or not for having water. Is this even legal. Help me, because you never hear anything from the owner's side except feedback via his poor supervisor living on site. No contractual changes were anounced and no new contract agreed upon. So, my question again: Is it legal to increase the water rate to fund his construction?