"Estimated" water meter readings

[Archer]

Seems like this is the month where I go after useless billing departments

A property of ours (±60m² with 2 people living there) had a glorious estimated water reading a few months ago which racked up R3k. Calls and emails disappear into a black hole, and the wife is gatvol so now its my problem (the joys of marriage ). Anyway, I half forgot about it the last week or two, until now when the next bill had the latest estimated reading - R7k (260kL) in one month. So, has anyone been in this situation? What did you do to resolve it? I've checked the meter myself a month ago, it is at a grand total of 262kL. Municipality claimed the month BEFORE that the estimated reading is 500kL... As far as I know, an actual reading has never been done.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Seems like this is the month where I go after useless billing departments

A property of ours (±60m² with 2 people living there) had a glorious estimated water reading a few months ago which racked up R3k. Calls and emails disappear into a black hole, and the wife is gatvol so now its my problem (the joys of marriage ). Anyway, I half forgot about it the last week or two, until now when the next bill had the latest estimated reading - R7k (260kL) in one month. So, has anyone been in this situation? What did you do to resolve it? I've checked the meter myself a month ago, it is at a grand total of 262kL. Municipality claimed the month BEFORE that the estimated reading is 500kL... As far as I know, an actual reading has never been done.

Pay what you think you owe, then lodge a dispute.

As long as you're paying something, they shouldn't disconnect as far as I know.

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

I was in that boat (or similar at elast) a few months ago.

Send a mail to the mayor's office Mayor.Mayor at capetown.gov.za and explain the situation to them. CC your councellor as well.

 

[Beachless]

I usually just pay what I usually pay. You can also email the metering department with your meters reading to be safe.

 

[Archer]

Lodge a dispute? I believe my wife has done this via email already (and I've had emails to accounts disappear so I hold little hope for a resolution there, but it makes for a nice paper trail). Will try call tomorrow though

Metering department email? Couldnt find anything about that, care to share the address?

Will hold off on the emails to the mayors office and councillors until I've given the normal channels a go, but thanks will be useful

 

[Beachless]

Just verify that your meter reading is actually different to your rates statement I'm not in cape town but a quick google shows this:

Feel free to contact
consumption enquiries on 0860 103 089 who will check your
account for you.

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Water/Documents/account_Eng.pdf

 

[Archer]

Thanks, I dont often go into PDFs to find phone numbers. They should be on the site!

What really gets me is that legally the tenant is obliged to pay the water bill to the agent since thats what the lease says, but sheez, they cant afford to float 7k while the municipality sorts things out. So the agent has to play hard ball, the tenant is screwed, and then most landlords probably dont give a dam (I've been told that entire street has issues with meter readings).

 

[MickeyD]

260kL - That's a huge bucket full of water!!!

 

[Beachless]

The municipalities dont seem to care and I am sure at least some of them use this to manage cash flow issues I used to try and sort it out and did not pay when I had huge bills which resulted in cutoffs and extra charges. Now I just pay a bit more than last months bill and it all gets sorted out in the next reading.

 

[Toni11]

I usually call in my meter reading (there is a certain time frame in the month that you can call it in but the consultant can tell you when the system will go open for call-ins). It will be adjusted on the next bill.

 

[EchoZA]

Try lodging a dispute with City of Joburg... they just ignore you!

 

[Pho3nix]

Try lodging a dispute with City of Joburg... they just ignore you!

Get a reference number and mail them. Often!
If you have something to refer back too when the poo-poo gits the fan you are at least covered.
As mentioned CC your councilor and mail them again and again..

 

[semaphore]

Good luck took me almost a year to sort, by then the estimation was sitting at 200K zar ronds.

 

[HavocXphere]

Slightly off topic...I can report that sending in Elec readings does actually work in PTA (if you mail it in the right time window). They use whatever you tell them & then just spot check it every couple of months.

 

[semaphore]

Slightly off topic...I can report that sending in Elec readings does actually work in PTA (if you mail it in the right time window). They use whatever you tell them & then just spot check it every couple of months.

We have digital meter readers attached to our power now, sends updates every 6 hours.

 

[member2204]

Log a call online. You should probably get a reference number.

 

[Swa]

Forget complaining. Been trying for over a year for a R10k account that's the result of their meter leaking. Just take your actual reading to the water department and it will get corrected on the next statement.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

pre-paid water is coming.
I personally was happy when pre-paid electricity came out. At lest that way there is no guessing what I actually use.

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

pre-paid water is coming.
I personally was happy when pre-paid electricity came out. At lest that way there is no guessing what I actually use.

Careful what you wish for.

A friend of mine has that and it frustrates the hell out of him!

Combine laundry day with diarrhea and you'll find yourself wirhout water by 6pm. Happened to him.

Personally I prefee postpaid as when I need water, I need it ASAP. For lack of electricity there is many workarounds.