Registered indigents are entitled to nine kilolitres of free basic water per month; however, the consumption in some households far exceeds this allocation due to excessive water leaks.
This direct loss of water has called for the metro to fix leaking water fittings at identified homes across Ekurhuleni.
Close to 60 000 households have been identified based on their water consumption, with those that have the highest water consumption being attended to first.
The retrofitting project, which includes public schools, entails the replacement of leaking urinals, damaged flushing devices as well as taps for leaking basins, baths and showers, but excludes geysers.
Leaking external underground water pipes connected from the water meter to the house will also be attended to and refurbished.
Since the inception of the project in January, 227 stands have already been attended to and the project will continue across Ekurhuleni until 2020 for all registered indigents.
Although the main focus of the municipality is external leaks, all internal leaks will also be attended to so that technicians leave each household without a leak.
These efforts are part of the metro’s ‘War on Leaks Campaign’ which is one of the five-year Integrated Development Plan (IDP) priorities.
An indigent is a person who is unable to pay for the necessities of life, which includes non-payment for municipal services.
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Households whose combined or joint gross monthly income is less than the equivalent of two social pension grants per month, qualify as indigents.
Residents who meet the criteria are strongly encouraged to visit their nearest customer care centre to be registered on the municipal indigent database for assistance.
The field workers who are conducting retrofitting can be identified by their ID cards with the City of Ekurhuleni logo.
Alternatively, residents can confirm the workers’ legitimacy with Mpho Chuene on 011 999 0166 or Thembi Khupuza on 011 999 4187 at the water and sanitation department.
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