Do you have a huge water bill? Here’s what you need to know
Residents in Montclair and Yellowwood Park have raised complaints about escalating water bills on their municipal accounts.
NUMEROUS complaints have been raised by residents about the exorbitantly high monthly water bills, with some estimates exceeding R100 000 this month.
Residents in Montclair and Yellowwood Park have expressed their anger on social media, demanding that the officials fix eThekwini’s billing system.
This alarming trend has prompted eThekwini Municipality to advise residents to investigate potential reasons behind such inflated charges.
Several factors that could contribute to steep water bills:
- Leaks – Do a meter reading and check to see if you have a leak. Once a leak has been identified, residents are advised to:
- Take a meter reading.
- Turn off all taps and do not flush the toilet.
- Wait for 10 minutes.
- Take a meter reading again.
2. Not paying bills every month
The municipality has also identified missing monthly payments on water accounts as a contributing factor to the rising water bills.
3. Using too much water – Exceeding your daily limited water usage can cause your water bill to go higher.
According to eThekwini Municipality, a lifeline support of 6kl (200 litres per day) is supplied at no cost on both full-pressure and semi-pressure systems.
Tips for finding leaks
- You need to fix the leak as soon as possible so you don’t waste water and accumulate a high bill.
- For above-ground leaks, look for dripping taps or leaking toilets. For underground leaks, look for wet patches or patches of very green grass.
- You can fix the leak yourself, obtain the services of a qualified plumber, or request eThekwini to assist.
Water and sanitation to fix the leak at a charge
Who pays for the leaks?
Leaks and repairs inside your property and ‘after the meter’ must be fixed and paid for by the owner of the property. If you rent a house, get the owner to fix the leak as soon as possible.
Get water insurance, keep your account up to date, and you will be covered for two months’ cost of water lost due to an underground leak.
eThekwini Water and Sanitation is responsible for leaks and repairs outside your property and ‘before the meter’.
Dos and don’ts
Tips for saving water:
- Reduce the amount of water you use each day.
- Reuse water whenever possible.
- Repair leaks as soon as possible.
- Read your meter regularly.
Visit your local eThekwini Water and Sanitation office to discuss your high bill, disconnections and customer details.
Alternatively, residents can call the toll-free number, 080 13 13 013, or WhatsApp 073 148 3477.
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