WATER billboards erected in areas across Port Elizabeth in August last year, have been left unattended and outdated since at least May this year.
This comes after the contract of the company appointed by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) to update and maintain the billboards expired this year, according to municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki.
The billboards were erected last year to inform residents and business owners of the water consumption in their areas.
According to the municipality, the billboards were initially supposed to be updated on a monthly basis, reflecting the latest consumption levels for the wards, in an effort to save even more water the following month.
They had been placed at intersections at major access roads in different wards.
However, despite alternative water resources explored by the NMBM, dam levels in the metro continue to decrease.
The current dam levels are at 35.09%of total combined capacity as of October 24.
Ward 3 councillor, David Hayselden, said that he has been inundated with water leak complaints from residents in Walmer. He explained that if the billboards were up to date, residents would be more informed on the amount of water wasted and their consumption.
“There are major water leaks in Water Road in Walmer and all around the metro, for that matter. When reporting this matter to the municipality, nothing is being done.
“The outdated water billboards are not beneficial to residents. Even though the billboards display practical advice on how to decrease consumption, it cannot be applied as there is no indication of the amount of water used,” Hayselden said.
The water billboard in Walmer has been outdated since May this year and residents have been left in the dark with information on water consumptions in their respective areas.
The municipality has urged all households to use less than 15 kilolitres of water per month.
According to Mniki, the municipality is currently busy with supply chain processes to get the billboards updated.
Mniki added, “We continue to create awareness using other methods, like radio, newspapers and in community meetings.”
