More than 150 meter readers to bolster services says eThekwini Municipality
The City’s Water and Sanitation Unit recently began its training exercise of eight teams of readers to bolster services.
TO bolster the water meter reading services in eThekwini Municipality, more than 150 water meter readers are gearing up to start collecting data.
This, the City said, will enable them to bill residents for services rendered.
Last week the City’s Water and Sanitation Unit began its training exercise of the eight teams, each consisting of 13 members, as well as the retraining of 55 in-house meter readers, who will undertake this important exercise in the coming weeks.
City spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said this follows the expiration of the old meter reading contract which resulted in the City having to rely on estimated readings to bill residents.
“Accounts were being estimated based on the previous months’ consumption. As soon as all the meter readers have completed training, they will begin taking actual readings. The training for meter readers is estimated to take about two weeks. We anticipate that the actual readings will begin in December, if not sooner,” she said.
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Sisilana said once the actual readings are done, the consumption charges will be adjusted accordingly. Where over-billing has occurred, accounts will be on a credit status if over payments were done.
“The credit will cover the next bill, depending on the amount credited, versus the amount billed,” she added.
The new meter readers have also been trained in the new capturing technology which will allow the City to not only track the movements of readers but also take images of the actual readings.
“This will allow us to keep evidence of the readings to avoid disputes. The new advanced platform also allows us to easily find meters through GPS and to ensure that they are captured in a simple and easy way to read,” Sisilana said.
Residents can also continue to take a picture of their monthly water meter readings and upload them on the eThekwini Mobile App or via eServices at eservices@durban.gov.za for their actual readings to be captured.
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