Municipality claims water connection is private matter
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) says it is the responsibility of homeowners to sever the connection of water pipes between their properties in Howard Avenue, Western Extension.
Wilna Benade, who owns 132A Howard Avenue, told the City Times that, for the past 14 years she has been paying the water utilities for both her own and her neighbour’s house.
EMM confirmed the two properties, 132 and 132A Howard Avenue, are still connected.
“On subdivision the developer or owner confirmed that all interlinked water connections between the subdivided stands had been disconnected or did not exist,” said Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson.
“However the onsite inspection indicates that an interlink still exists.”
Marilyn Nicholson, who owns 132 Howard Avenue, said she has been paying her water bill as per usual since she moved in, eight years ago.
EMM was asked who owes Benade compensation, if she paid a surplus and Nicholson paid in full.
The answer was: “This interlink is the responsibility of the owners and any balancing of debt is a private matter between the two owners.”
EMM was asked how this could be possible, as it suggested an equivalent of three bills had been paid to the municipality for two properties, but no comment had been received at the time of going to press.
Benade also said the two properties were fed by only one water meter, which was confirmed by EMM.
“One meter, number 130034080, feeds both stands 1/770 and R/770 (132 and 132A respectively),” said Gadebe.
“The account will be investigated further and the consumers advised of the outcome.”
Benade said she received a letter from EMM on July 10, giving her a notice period of 21 days in which to cut the connection between the properties, starting as soon as Nicholson also receives a letter.
At the time of going to press, Nicholson had not yet received a letter.
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