Rand Water to reduce water flow if ELM does not pay up
Emfuleni's non-payment of its account to Rand Water could result in residents being directly affected when the water supplier decides to reduce the water supply.
GAUTENG. – Residents of the Emfuleni Local Municipality live in fear of future water shortages, because the water supplier, Rand Water, is currently tightening the taps of municipalities that owe it money.
Rand Water says it is deeply concerned about municipalities’ outstanding debts that are piling up.
According to the water supplier, municipalities collectively owe them around R3 billion.
Of all the municipalities that owe money to Rand Water, the struggling Emfuleni Local Municipality owes the most.
Emfuleni owes Rand Water a staggering R945 453 844.18.
Rand Water said in a statement on Friday that the extent of outstanding debts of municipalities has reached a “critical level” and requires that action be taken urgently.
According to Rand Water, they already reduced the water supply of the Ngwathe Local Municipality of Parys and Merafong City Local Municipality of Carletonville by 20% on 26 February.
Rand Water has also warned that if the aforementioned municipalities do not pay their outstanding debts by March 25, the water supplier can reduce the water pressure by a further 20%.
Ngwathe owes Rand Water only R66 822 914.88 and Merafong R846 298 900.58.
This is not nearly as much as Emfuleni owes the water supplier, and there are concerns that Rand Water may do the same to Emfuleni.
