Answers in the pipeline for high water meter readings

In a statement issued to WITBANK NEWS the municipality has addressed the concern of billing issues and high water meter readings.

The problem starts when a pipe burst is repaired. “In areas with pipe bursts air enters the pipes on a frequent basis. Once the pipe burst is repaired the system is soared by using fire hydrants as air outlets. On most pipes air release valves are also installed to let air out. If this is not done further pipe bursts may occur as air gets compressed when water enters the pipe,” explains the statement.

This explains the reason for air being present in the pipe system but how does the air affect the water meter readings? The statement goes on to answer this question, “Inevitably some of this air will escape through residents taps should they open taps whilst the system is filling up. Their water meters will register this air and this may lead to very high meter readings. It’s normally people in higher lying areas and those first to open their taps after an outage which may experience this problem.”

They also touch on the affect this has on the monthly, “We have between 5 and 10 customers per month reporting abnormal readings. To date customers found it frustrating to get this corrected and in many cases were sent from pillar to post before being assisted.

There is hope for the people of eMalahleni as they aim to address this issue. “As from today we have addressed this problem in the interest of a more client responsive service. Should your water meter reading and account be abnormally high (at least 20% more than your normal use) and there were pipe bursts during the meter period you are welcome to visit our accounts department (Finance). Staff has been instructed to deal with the query by looking at your average daily consumption for the past three months and to then multiply it with the number of days in the meter period you are questioning. Should the use be less following this method, the lower calculation will be used and your water account as well as sewer account as its linked to the water will be reduced. You will be credited with the difference between the billed and the reduced amount or if you have not paid yet can pay the corrected amount.”

In order for this method to work any person who would like to take this route needs to provide the following, a letter from yourself addressed to the Municipal Manager requesting that your account for that period be reviewed and in the letter confirming that there were pipe bursts in your area during the metering period.

”The Municipality will after this correction has been made refer the matter to the technical team to verify whether there was pipe bursts and whether there could have been another reason. In the case where the area is found to have a tendency to this problem of air through water meters the municipality will in future then install additional air valves in that area to reduce future problems.”

The statement concludes with the following, “The above implies that the customer only needs to approach one point in the municipality and that there is now a clear methodology how to make adjustments.”

This is good news for any one struggling through the foggy uncertainty of inflated bills because there is a light at the end of the tunnel or in this case the pipeline.