7 Reasons why your municipalty account seems high

Factors why your water or electricity account can be over the normal limit.

There are numerous aspects that impact on the on-site consumption of a property. These are, inter alia, seasonal changes (ie wet and dry periods), water used for gardening, internal leaks, defective meter, etc. It is therefore difficult for the municipality to pinpoint the reasons for these fluctuations which are related to the internal use or water loss.

You should establish whether there is an internal leak on the property by carrying out the following test procedure:

Test procedure:
1. Close all the internal taps on the property, both in and outdoors.

2. Isolate your geyser if possible.

3. Check the water meter to see if the counter digits (register) are moving.

4. If the digits are moving to check the toilet cistern, taps, exposed pipework and wet areas on walls with pipework, to see if there are any visible leaks.

5. If there are no visible leaks and the digits are still moving then there is an underground leak.

6. If you have problems locating the leak, contact a professional plumber/specialist for assistance.

7. If a leak does exist, have it repaired as soon as possible.

If there should have been an internal leak on the property it must be noted that an owner of a property is, in terms of the City’s Water Supply By-Laws, responsible for the maintenance of the internal water reticulation on a property.