Water meter headache for South African households
As South Africans are expected to fork out more each month for rates and taxes, including water usage, it is imperative that consumers ensure their water meter reading is correct.
Speaking to Cape Talk, Maike Gohl, an attorney and senior Associate at Schindlers Attorneys, said that to best protect themselves from an incorrect reading, homeowners should take their own meter readings each month and log them.
If you suspect that you’re being incorrectly billed, the first thing to do is to check your meter number and confirm if it corresponds with the invoice, said Gohl.
To gather evidence to prove a claim, the first thing to do is to take photos of the meter with dates in the frame – including something like an up-to-date newspaper in the image could assist in narrowing down the time the meter reading was taken.
If the municipality finds a fault in the reading, they would be expected to reverse the incorrect bill, correct it and pay the difference into your account, said Gohl.
She added that if the two do not line up, there could either be a potential leak or your meter is faulty.
The associate warned against people testing meters themselves or even with a plumber as it could be considered tampering. She said that this is essential because the meter is considered municipal property.
Tampering with your meter will damage your case if you wish to contest a bill. Reaching out to the municipality to test is another option.
As of 1 July, major metros across South Africa implemented rate hikes – including property rates, electricity, water, sanitation, and refuse removal.
Increased rates are expected to add even more financial pressure on already cash-strapped homeowners in South Africa. One of the most notable water hikes was seen in eThekwini.
The municipality is facing a 14.9% increase, which according to the eThekwini, is a result of Umgeni Water’s approved tariff increase for bulk water being around 13% – no clear indication of the reasoning behind this hike has been given.
The updated tariff increases for water across several major metros from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 are as follows:
- City of Joburg – 9.3%
- Tshwane – 9.2%
- eThekwini – 14.9%
- City of Cape Town – 8.6%
- Ekurhleni – 12%
- Buffalo City – 9.86%
Read: Joburg to start paying for excess solar power from residents – these are the rates
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