A 75-year-old resident of Strand who has lived at his home in Rand Street for well over 20 years, is frustrated at what he calls a lack of communication from the municipality to sort out his water account.
He has lodged several complaints with the City since Sunday 19 December last year but without joy.
“I’ve also raised this matter with the Mayor’s office but I’m not getting any feedback,” said the resident, Theo Basson.
His problem relates to the size of the leading on his water meter. According to his municipal statements, Basson has been paying all these years for a 15 mm water meter, but now he’s being charged an additional R48 per month for a 20 mm water meter.
“I’ve just been trying to get answers, but there’s really been no feedback. I don’t even know if and why they changed it from a 15 mm to 20 mm.”
Basson says that his account is not consistent, as some months they add the additional charge and some months they do not.
“I believe they should credit me for the additional charge. I didn’t even ask for it and I’ve been happy with the 15 mm for the past 20 years.”
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the client is charged fixed basic charges. “A request had been sent to the City’s technicians to investigate the size of the leading. The 15 mm water meter was replaced with a 20 mm water meter,” he said, without elaborating on the factors that lead to this change. “The account has been rectified. The changes will be reflected on the next invoice,” said Badroodien, who added that the delay in having this matter resolved was due to the City awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
After escalating this matter with the media, Basson stated the following week he received his account with the correction, much to his delight.
The City advised that residents are requested to log a service request by using one of the following channels. Please provide the street address, and get a reference number:. Online www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests. Email water@capetown.gov.za. SMS 31373 (maximum 160 characters. Standard rates apply). Call 0860 103 089.Visit a walk-in centre (see www.capetown.gov.za/facilities)
