Resident furious – no water for over a week
A resident of Townsview has been without water since Thursday July 3, after his water was disconnected by mistake.
TOWNSVIEW – “I came home at about 17:30 to find a document from Joburg Water stuck in my outside gate, advising me my water had been disconnected, due to me being in arrears and not having signed an agreement with them to pay what I owe,” said the resident.
The account number written at the top of the notice is not his but his neighbours. “I have had this problem previously. I admit I am slightly in arrears but when I phoned to complain to Joburg Water I was told I would be reconnected and then I’d have to come in and make an arrangement to pay for the outstanding amount. Joburg Water didn’t keep their promise and I still have no water.
“This is extremely infuriating being without water for so long and as I far as I know it is every citizen’s constitutional right to have water, even if an account is in arrears. It’s also a health hazard and I’m not able to flush my toilet,” he said
The owner of the semi-detached houses in Townsview, where the resident resides, lives overseas and the semis are in the hands of a local agent.
“Because my neighbour owes a substantial amount on his water account, now I must suffer, as they have disconnected the supply to both homes.
“I phoned Ward 56 councillor, Dennis Jane on Friday to report the matter, the day after my water was cut, and said he’d send an e-mail to the relevant department asking for the water to be reconnected. He advised I should go to Region F to try and sort out the complicated matter.
“Clr Jane was apparently told my water wouldn’t be reconnected until I’d paid all what is outstanding, even though I had signed an agreement to pay over a certain time. This is ludicrous and a week later I still have no water!” the annoyed resident told the CHRONICLE.
“Joburg Water should get their facts correct before they go around disconnecting those who have signed an agreement to pay. Now, what must I do? Go through all the red tape again before I have water? It’s a waste of my time and shows what a bad service Joburg Water offers to its clients.
“I am in the process of trying to sort out this mess, again, but until I manage to do so, I have no water!” he said.
The CHRONICLE is trying to attain whether water can be cut, even if a resident is in arrears.
