KNYSNA NEWS - The installation of water meters by Knysna Municipality in seven wards has elicited mixed reactions from communities where some of the residents have never paid any water bills.

The municipality announced recently that a total of 7 500 meters are scheduled to be installed from 11 March, and the work is expected to be completed in about four months.

The appointed contractor, it said, will employ roughly 50 people within Knysna and train them.

According to Technical Services chair, councillor Levael Davis, water meters have been a success in other areas in the Western Cape. "This technology has been rolled out in the Cape Town Metro, Mossel Bay and Theewaterskloof with great success," he said.

Water-saving a plus
Davis highlighted the advantages of these water management devices to the consumers and the municipality.

These include saving water, revenue enhancement, a clear indication of water usage, a decrease in the number of disputed accounts, improvement in the managing of water resources, and assisting council with long-term planning.

He said impoverished households will still receive the 6kl free water per month.

The devices will be programmed to provide a daily allocation of 200l/day, and after this allotted amount the device will automatically switch on the prepaid system.

"Water is a precious resource. We encourage households to conserve usage and explore advantages of grey water for other domestic uses such as gardening."

'How will the jobless pay?'
There was a mixed response from residents upon hearing news of the project, with Sarah Lukas from Diepwalle saying it would be good to have the meters as it will contribute towards saving water. 

But Concordia's Nosipho Mphikwa's prime concern is about making ends meet: "How will the unemployed people pay? Some people come from very big families, so the free 6kl a month might not take them far. If they can't pay for water, does this mean that they might have to live without it?"

Whitehead Bantu from Bongani also felt the meters are a good idea, but added, "It should be interesting though how we are going to pay for it."

Dial Kaptain from Hornlee said, "Surely we can't accept that, how are we expected to pay for water when we are unemployed. They must first create job opportunities and then come introduce such."

'What about big families?'
Kuhle Mayongo, also from Hornlee, said adjusting to the new system would be very difficult especially for big families who have one breadwinner who in many instances is a pensioner. 

"So for such families, it is really going to be difficult for them."

Another, Amma Fazi who is based in town, said, "This will assist with saving water. Not so long ago we were at Level 3 so having water meters in place will ensure that residents use water with caution."

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