Friday, 27 January 2012
City’s rising water losses
Water accounts in the KwaMadlebe Traditional Area totalling more than R2-million will be written back pending the completion of a project to repair faulty installations. That was the decision taken by the uMhlathuze Executive Committee on Tuesday following problems surrounding leaking water meters in the rural area. Four years ago the City appointed a contractor to connect water to every household in the KwaMadlebe Traditional Area. About 4 000 households were connected and all consumers were expected to pay for the water consumed in excess of 6kl.
However, during the revenue collection process by the City’s Finance Department, the community voiced concerns, adding that they could not pay for leaking water emanating from faulty installations. During further investigations by the City, it was established that there were missing or damaged seals in the meters that were installed by the contractor in each household. Due to shortage of manpower, the Infrastructure and Technical Services Department appointed a contractor to assist in repairing the leaking meters. The contractor was instructed to repair 30 meters each day over a period of about three months.
At Council’s sitting this week, Exco Councillor Beena Simmadhri raised concern over the huge amount to be written off, which would add to the overall water loss amount in the City. ‘The City’s high water losses were even highlighted by the Auditor General. ‘It is regrettable that we have to write off such a huge amount (R2 323-million). ‘How long have these meters been leaking? ‘There must be a follow-up by the relevant department on this matter,’ said Simmadhri. It was noted that proper quality control was required to manage the installation of basic services as income was written off due to internal challenges, which resulted in poor management of a basic function.
Consumers who have already paid for some water accounts, will be credited.
The KwaMadlebe Traditional Area has 14 sub-areas (iZigodi or rural suburbs).
Community communication sessions will be held at various community halls for each suburb.
City Mayor Elphas Mbatha said writing off the amount was the only way of cleaning the City’s books as they would be unable to collect the outstanding money.