Payment agreement with Rand Water to end Heilbron’s water struggle
For many Heilbron residents, the increased water supply, now for the first time in months, means water in their taps.
Rand Water has increased water supply to Heilbron. Ngwathe Local Municipality’s Acting Municipal Manager, Dr Futhuli Mothama confirmed that this comes after the municipality entered into an agreement with the water utility on a payment plan, in the interest of the residents of Heilbron, Sandersville, and Phiritona, respectively.
The municipality experienced decreased water distribution as a result of financial challenges until the Acting Municipal Manager assembled a financial turnaround team focusing on a revenue enhancement strategy while prioritising service delivery, the Ngwathe Municipality said.
Accordingly, the municipality managed to pay R20 million to Rand Water resulting in the improvement of water supply, and reducing Ngwathe’s debt burn with the supplier from R72 million to R52 million.
Although Rand Water has now increased water supply to above 8mgl/day, the municipality requested the community of Heilbron to use water responsibly, and embarked on a campaign to identify and repair water leaks.
Heilbron has been suffering from a severe water shortage since December 2023 as a result of the municipality’s struggle to pay Rand Water. During May this year Rand Water published notices notifying the public of the water utility’s intention to reduce bulk potable water supply with 20% after 30 days of the notice, should payment or an approved payment plan not be received.
For many Heilbron residents, the increased water supply, now for the first time in months, means water in their taps. The payment plan agreement requires Ngwathe to pay Rand Water monthly, as well as three equal payments from Ngwathe’s equitable shares granted to the municipality three times per year.
