Water: you are paying for air

Utility 'knows about it but is doing nothing'.

- Emily Wellman Bain

Residents of Emmarentia have been stung twice by the current Joburg water crisis and this even before the feared 35-day maintenance programme by Rand Water has begun.

Having to struggle without a regular, reliable supply of water because of extended cuts at night due to "water throttling", residents have discovered that they are paying for the air which blasts through the systems when the water supplies are restored.

A resident, Anna Nair, said: "When the water is restored in the morning and you open the taps, the air is flowing. I have a video which shows our water meter running from the air, so am wondering if I will be billed more when the next meter reading is done." She added she was unaware of this happening before.

Ferial Adam from WaterCAN said: "Air billing is real and it must be investigated. Johannesburg Water knows about it but is doing nothing to resolve the issue."