A Halfway Gardens resident, Beverley van der Merwe, is calling for the installation of prepaid water meters as one of the measures to address the alleged incorrect billing crisis in the area.
Van der Merwe is one of many residents in Midrand who is crying foul about the City’s water billing system. She said that she has been battling to resolve the matter for a while with no success. “I have been struggling for several months to resolve the billing issues. Calls have been logged and much time has been spent at the City’s offices in Midrand.”
She has been residing at the Summit Place residential complex for the past 21 years. Since the beginning of this year, two meters have been replaced due to inaccuracies. “The first meter belonged to someone else. I was billed for someone else’s consumption. Another one was installed but it was still not corrected. An employee from the City came onsite on a number of occasions and agreed that the meter reading was incorrect. Despite all this, the issue remains.”
Van der Merwe, who is an employee at a retail company, lives with her parents who are pensioners in a 400m² piece of land with no swimming pool. “I have lived in the same house for over 21 years in a complex which has always been regarded as one of the best-run establishments.
“Most of the residents in the complex have bills of R1 500 to R1 800. Lately, the bill comes to a high of R5 000. Could it be possible that I’m paying for someone else’s bill as well?” she asked.
A spokesperson for Joburg Water, Eleanor Mavimbela said residents cannot apply for prepaid water meters yet. She said only the Soweto region has prepaid water meters which were installed on a project basis.
“There is a possibility of the project being extended to other areas in the near future. For now, customers may log a call at the local centre if they have any problems with their meters. We have individual cases that are under investigation,” said Mavimbela.
Also check out:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/201881/water-restrictions-set-to-continue-when-the-need-arises/
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/202438/city-suspends-officials-implicated-non-renewal-pikitup-fleet-contract/
