High water bills being addressed

Residents of Roodepoort and surrounding areas have noticed that their water consumption is being based on estimated readings, causing their water accounts to skyrocket.

Johannesburg Water (JW) is currently in the process of changing from contractors physically reading meters to a full in-house meter-reading system. This involved recruiting and training new meter-reading staff, and also caused the number of customers being billed on estimated consumption increasing during this transition period.

The estimated consumption has been based on a period longer than the 30-day billing cycle, which resulted in the higher bills. JW wants to assure residents that, once an actual reading has been taken, the billing system will automatically be adjusted. Residents should also keep in mind that an increased drought tariff structure is in place, meaning that consumption above 20 000 litres per month is charged at a higher rate.

Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Environmental and Infrastructure Service, councillor Anthony Still said, “The situation will soon be normalised and it is expected that the estimated reading percentage will decrease significantly from the next billing cycle”.

To ensure that JW has your actual meter reading, consumers can read their own meters and send their reading, together with their account number, to meterreading@jwater.org.za. These readings should be done on the day meter readings are done in their suburb, as indicated on the front page of their bill. The reading schedule is divided into portions (A to U) and the relevant day is stipulated there. The schedule is also available on JW’s website at www.johannesburgwater.co.za.

JW meter readers can be identified by their branded blue overalls or bright yellow bibs. Each one of them is also required to carry a staff identification document at all times. These IDs must display their name and employee number clearly. Should residents not be sure whether the person at their gate is an actual JW employee, their details can easily be verified at www.johannesburgwater.co.za where the photos and names of the employees are clearly listed.

“Residents with queries on their accounts are encouraged to contact any of the City walk-in centres.

To avoid credit control action (disconnection) it is advisable to continue to pay an average amount whilst the query is being resolved. We also advise residents to immediately settle their accounts or approach the City to make payment arrangement as soon as they receive a pre-termination notice to avoid the inconvenience associated with disconnections,” said Still.

If your service is disconnected, keep the following in mind:

? JW technicians and approved service providers are not authorised to negotiate with residents – do not offer them any form of payment. Report attempts to solicit payment immediately.

? JW technicians and approved service providers are not allowed to remove meters from residents’ properties when disconnecting the service. This must also be reported.

? Residents should allow 48 hours for a reconnection request to be actioned, although every effort is made to do it as soon as possible. Payments made at a City Revenue Centre reflect on the system sooner than those made at alternative pay points.

Meter-reading queries can be emailed to Customer@jwater.co.za or customers can contact the call centre on 011 688 1400/ 6597.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine

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