LOWER Crossroads residents in Philippi East, Cape Town complain that the City of Cape Town is not providing enough water for big families.
Mandlenkosi Mathunjwa (39) said the city installed water management meters without notifying them.
“We know the city is experiencing a water crisis but that does not give them the right to treat us like this. I was at work and when I got home, my meter had been replaced with a digital one,” said Mandlenkosi.
Msindisi Mbokazi (40) said the digital meter made their lives difficult because the city only gave them an amount of water it thinks will be enough for their households without first checking how many people live there.
“We are not saying we don’t want to save water, but we would like to be warned.
“Some families have more than six members. They need to check with us before changing our meters.”
Xanthea Limberg, member of the mayoral committee for informal settlements, said the city didn’t need to liaise with customers before replacing infrastructure.
“Water management devices are being installed across the city at properties where we have picked up excessive consumption.”
The device allows 350 litres to a property each day.
Customers would have received warning letters with their municipal bill and a letter advising them of the installation.
“The residents can apply to get more than 350 litres per day if there are more than four people living on the property.
“If the application is successful, the city will set the water meter to a daily target that allows each person to use 87 litres per day – the current consumption target under Level 5 restrictions,” she said.
