A Mitchells Plain man says the City of Cape Town has failed his family, who has been without water for two weeks, after a motorist destroyed their blue water meter.
Sadaka Samuels, 35, says a bakkie drove over their water meter in Veronica Crescent in Montrose Park, Lentegeur on 31 May.
“The delivery bakkie drove over the water meter and water was gushing everywhere,” he says.
“In order to save water, I switched it off and contacted the City. I have six reference numbers, but they are yet to come out and fix the problem.”
Samuels says this could all have been avoided if contractors did their job properly in the first place.
“When they installed the blue water meter outside, there was no structural foundation placed around it.
“If they did it right the first time, this could have been avoided,” Samuels says.
The father of three says they are 10 people living on the property and now have to buy bottled water.
“My mother-in-law spends R60 a day for water. This is heavy on the pocket. They’re quick to cut water once you have not paid, but unfortunately not quick to fix it.”
But Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Councillor Xanthea Limberg, says there is nothing wrong with the meter.
“The City has conducted three inspections at this resident’s property, and each time the meter was found to be in working order,” she says.
“The meter has been programmed to allow the residents an allocation of 350 litres every day.”
“We would advise that the resident checks for leaks on the property’s plumbing as these leaks could be allowing the property’s water allocation to run to waste.”