Pipe theft reveals reason for woman’s high water bills
Western Extension resident Wilna Benade says she has been paying the water utilities for both her own house and that of her neighbour for the past 14 years.
In February, the copper pipes in the roof of Benade’s house, at 132A Howard Avenue, were stolen.
She closed the water supply to her house at the meter, to prevent water damage to the house.
Soon afterwards it came to light that the water supply to her neighbours, at 132 Howard Avenue, had also ceased.
Benade said the two houses are connected via water supply, which should not be the case as the properties were subdivided before she moved in, 14 years ago.
She said there is only one meter for the two properties outside.
Benade demands answers and remuneration, as this implies she has been paying two water bills for the past 14 years.
“Since the beginning I thought the water bill was too high, but I kept on paying,” she commented.
“Now I’ve been waiting since February and nothing has happened; the municipality doesn’t respond.
“I’m constantly calling them, but nothing happens.”
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) confirmed the two properties were connected and said an investigation would be launched into the matter, as they should have been disconnected when the property was subdivided.
“This interlink is the responsibility of the owners and any balancing of debt is a private matter between the two owners,” said Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson.
When asked about the matter, the resident and owner of 132 Howard Avenue, Marilyn Nicholson, said she had been paying her water bill as per usual, since she moved in, eight years ago.
She mentioned that the water bill had increased one to two years ago, around the same time that a new meter was put in place in front of the two properties.
EMM was asked for further comment, but none had been received at the time of going to press.
