Resident fed up with water bill issues
Even though a Witpoortjie resident has been using borehole water, her water meter bill keeps increasing.
A resident has been struggling with her water bill since 2021. As of January, she now owes a total of around R86 000 even though she is using borehole water.
Elizabeth Motladile explained she used to pay around R1 200 a month for her water bill, however after finding out she owes around R16 000 to Joburg Water (JW), and noticing her meter is faulty as it keeps running even though no one is using water, she decided a borehole was the best option. She noted in February 2021 her water was cut off and she had to use the swimming pool water to flush the toilets and bring water from work to cook and drink. In April 2021 she had her borehole installed.
“I thought that would fix the problem. So I loaned the money for the borehole and had it installed, however, the problem has been even worse since,” said Motladile.
She noted she has reported the problem many times, where JW officials came to look at the meter and admitted it was faulty and she should not be billed for the water, however, she still receives a bill every month. There were even threats that her assets would be removed if she did not pay her account.
She added the bill also does not make any sense as aside from it going up every time with questionable numbers, it also fluctuates. One minute it would state she owes around R58 000 and the next time she owes R54 000.
“They are making people’s lives hell in their own houses. How dare they? I am not using their water, I am using borehole water,” said Motladile.
She added she cannot sleep at night anymore, suffers from hypertension, and has to take medication for her high blood pressure.
JW has not commented by the time of publishing, as soon as comment is received an update will be given.
