Sonja Strydom (33) says she received a hefty bill after her meter was put in two weeks ago.
She received a bill of R2 500 for the month’s water after the account stated she had used 751 kilolitres of water.
“This is impossible, but then I went to do a little digging and saw the meter outside read 0007.512 and on the statement, they said I used 751,” says an outraged Strydom.
“I don’t even think they took the old meter’s reading before they replaced it because when I asked them where the reading and the photos of the old meter is, they couldn’t find it.”
She claims not only did they not take the old reading, but they also didn’t transfer it to the new meter.
“We usually use around 35 to 40 kilolitres a month, so it’s also impossible for the meter to read just seven,” she says.
“And now the new bill will be coming and I don’t know what else to do as I haven’t paid the previous bill yet because it isn’t right.
“I’m not saying I only want to pay for the seven kilolitres but the normal amount we usually use, and R2 500 is not just small change lying around.”
Strydom says they also didn’t fix her driveway from where they removed the old meter.
“I had to fix the hole and part of the palisades they damaged to get the meter out,” she says.
One of Strydom’s neighbours, Dawie Kock, says his water meter reading was also incorrect and says the amount on his bill was much higher than usual.
“I also had to fix my driveway as they didn’t restore it to what it was,” he says.
Kock adds that most of the people in the street are experiencing this problem.
The Addie is awaiting comment from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
