Illegal water connections cause havoc
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality loses over 120 448kl of water per annum, through illegal water connections.
It is for this reason that the municipality is taking a tough stance against customers continuing to use water illegally.
Illegal connections not only result in unnecessary loss of water and costs to the municipality, but are a violation of other residents’ right to access clean water.
A farmer is facing legal charges after an illegal underground water pipe, connected by him to the municipality’s water supply network, was discovered.
This connection resulted in damage to a 400mm pipe supplying water to the Germiston reservoir, in Dawn Park, causing residents in that area to be without water for three consecutive days.
Offenders found with an unmetered water supply, due to illegal connections, will be liable to a penalty, as well as additional charges to cover the costs incurred due to damages to the network or connections.
“Any form of theft is condemned by the municipality; we call upon customers who are illegally connected to the network to come forward and rectify this, “said Lebogang Ramashala, acting Ekurhuleni spokesperson.
Residents are encouraged to play a role in the fight against illegal connections by contacting the municipal services call centre on 0860 543 000, to report any suspicious conduct or people tampering with connections.
