Shaheed Vermeulen, 57, of Rocklands, says the City has billed him more than R78 000 for water because of a faulty meter reading that has been logged since July last year.
A Rocklands man says the City has slapped him with a water bill for more than R78 000 because of a faulty meter reading.
Shaheed Vermeulen, 57, says he first logged a complaint about the faulty meter reading in July last year.
He said he had gone to the municipal office at Liberty Promenade mall, called the City’s helpline and dealt with contractors several times all in an effort to resolve the problem at the house he rents.
“I have had many contractors at my home. One of them would say nothing is wrong with no examination done, the other would say I would need to pay to replace the meter even if I’m not guilty of tampering with the meter, and the other would say they would come back to help but never pitch again.
“Since July, my meter reading has jumped a number. It went from 7145 kilolitres to 8110 kilolitres in July last year, which means the reading claims I am using 965 kilolitres of water which is totally false. Since January this year, the reading continues with a higher number reading.
“I have been trying to get this problem solved. It is not my fault this meter jumped. How can I pay for something that I am not guilty of?”
If the City found the meter was faulty it would reimburse him, otherwise he would have to pay the bill, he said.
His water bill had been paid up to date before the faulty meter issue, he said.
Mr Vermeulen said the house still had water, but the City had threatened to cut the supply, and he was now forced to pay the water bill as the City would be making deductions from his prepaid electricity payments to cover the outstanding amount on his water bill.
His wife, Fagmieda Vermeulen, said the City had sent several SMSes and letters reminding them to pay.
"We've got trust issues with the City. I said several times I would pay to replace my old meter for a new meter, yet they still have not come back to me again. None of them said I should apply for a new meter yet that is what I will do,“ he said.
Mayoral committee member for water and sanitation Zahid Badroodien said the City’s customer service department was aware of high consumption for the account in June last year. Thereafter, the consumption had returned to the normal average consumption.
“The client should advise whether there have been any leaks at the property and provide the subsequent plumber's report. Should there not have been any leaks repaired, then the client should follow the meter test process where an application can be made at the nearest walk-in centre.”
Dr Badroodien said Mr Vermeulen would need to pay a deposit fee to have the meter removed from the property and sent to the meter testing laboratory. Should the meter fail the test, the deposit would be refunded and the account would be assessed for possible adjustment.
Mr Vermeulen is adamant there are no leaks on the property. “It is myself, my wife and dog, and I do not own a pool. Make it make sense. I’m not going to go through this again as I need this issue solved,” he said.