Craighall Park resident Michael Blanchard is once again raising the alarm over Johannesburg Water’s (JW) billing system, claiming he’s now been charged more than R40 000 for water he never used.

The problem began after a water meter was replaced at his property in February 2024. Since then, he says the city has failed to update its systems correctly, and continues to bill him using readings from the old, removed meter, resulting in wildly inflated amounts.

Read more: Five years of frustration: Westcliff resident battles Joburg Water over ongoing billing error

According to Blanchard, JW only reflected the new meter on statements more than a year later, but even then, the figures were inaccurate. His meter shows a reading of 415kl, but the latest bill reflects 849kl, nearly double the actual usage. “I’ve paid every bill in full, even when they were wrong, just to avoid disconnection. Now I’m being billed for a meter that doesn’t exist, and no one is taking responsibility.”

Despite submitting monthly readings and photo evidence via the city’s website, Blanchard says his submissions have been ignored. A JW employee even visited the property to take an official reading in May, but he claims this was never used.

He believes his experience reflects a much wider issue. “This isn’t just about me anymore. If this is happening to others, it’s a systemic failure, one that needs a proper investigation.”

JW has previously stated that the matter is under review. The Rosebank Killarney Gazette has sent a new enquiry and will provide an update once further information is received.

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