A Newcastle resident is up in arms after reporting a leaking tap to the municipality two years ago and is yet to receive feedback.
The Ward 03 resident who declined to be named said that he was both disappointed and frustrated at the lack of urgency coming from the local municipality.
Explaining the situation, he recounted that in 2022 he had moved into a new rental home with his family and noticed a small swamp just outside the fence.
” When I investigated I found that the meter where readings needed to be taken from for our utility bill was almost completely submerged in water. This was caused by a leaking outside tap from the property next door to us. We have no idea who the land belongs to or how to get into contact with the owner. We then reported this to our landlord who then contacted the municipality and he was given a reference number and was told that it would be investigated,” said the resident.
Fast forward almost two years later, nothing has been done despite constant follow- ups by the tenant and the landlord.
The frustrated resident continued to explain that he had most recently found out that he had been paying the water bill for the property next door and not his own.
“I was home recently when I noticed municipal workers taking our monthly meter reading. I then approached them and asked if they knew when the leak would be fixed as the swamp in front of our yard is now a health hazard and is attracting frogs and snakes. Their response was that they too had reported the leak and that they were unable to take a reading from our meter and that all this time, readings had been taken from the meter from next doors property. This is absolutely ridiculous, how can I be responsible for another persons water bill? he said.
The resident said that he had seen a drastic increase in his water utility bill and was flabbergasted as to why since their consumption had remained the same, if not less ,with the amount of burst pipes and water issues plaguing the area in recent months.
“At this point, my utility bill is almost as much as my salary and it is disappointing that the municipality has such a nonchalant attitude . It seems as if all they do is investigate or calls go unanswered,” he said.
Spotlight On Newcastle reached out to the Newcastle Municipality regarding this situation on 26 November and we were informed that the Department was actively investigating the matter and that feedback would be given later that day.
We then contacted the Newcastle Municipality on 27 November, 28 November 2 December, 11 December and 13 December for any feedback but none was given.
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