No word about water meters

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Many Graaff-Reinet residents were left baffled last week, as their water meters were replaced without prior notice by the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality.

According to Edwardine Abader, acting municipal spokesperson, the replacement of meters follows an audit two years ago that found the existing meters faulty. "They identified meters that had reached their lifespan, and in some instances were resulting in faulty readings," Abader told the Advertiser.

She added that the company responsible for the replacement is Re-Solve.

"They arrived at my home to replace the bronze meter with a plastic one, and showed me a letter with permission from the municipality dated November 2019," said Bruce Maree, who has had a home in Cradock Street since 1973. "Surely the municipality could've informed us of the job beforehand."

The municipality only placed a statement on their facebook page about the replacement on 22 January, after jobs had started the day before. Abader failed to comment in time for print why residents were not informed earlier.

Some residents were unhappy with the workmanship following the replacement. "They left the installed area in much worse state than they found it," a second concerned Cradock Street resident told the Advertiser.

Maree agreed, and said he asked his private builders to cover the hole that had been left.

The state of a water meter after replacement. The municipality said three teams are involved and that the hole will be covered by the last team.

However, resident Ralph Scott, also of Cradock Street, said he was happy with the service he received. "I saw the job was half-done, and when I contacted the municipality, they explained that a team will return to complete it. I was happy with their quick response." Scott agreed that better communication from the municipality would have been appreciated.

Abader explained that three teams are allocated to replace the meters. The first team opens the area where the old meter is allocated, the second team replaces the meter, and the third closes the meter following the installation.