12 Mar 2014

The Kweneng District Council has resolved to investigate the causes of high water bills from schools.

The resolution was made after the council secretary, Mr Wazha Tema said the council continued to pay water bills, but it remained in arrears. 

In 2013, the water bill from schools in the district was P7 million, with Mogoditshane schools gobbling P6 million. He said the council had to divert development funds to pay water bills.

Mr Tema said as a result of the high water bills, the council was unable to provide water to some schools. In some cases, the council could pay P1 million for one school for a bill that covers 10 months. The bill from Mmokolodi Primary School, with 176 students, exceeded P134 000 in nine months.

He said the council has financial responsibility and that management teams in schools must make sure that school children conserve water. The management of a school must respond immediately when a toilet was leaking or a standpipe was not closed.

Mr Tema said the council paid more than P11 million in salaries for helpers who could ensure that the children did not waste water. 

Because the bills were unsustainable, he said council might be forced to give school managements the responsibility for paying utility fees. Ends