The Nkurenkuru Town Council ( NTC) will as from Friday start disconnecting the water of residents who owe the town council more than N.dollars 500.

This was said by Nkurenkuru Town Council Chief Executive Officer Petrus Sindimba in an interview with Nampa on Thursday.

He said the Nkurenkuru Town Council does not want to end up like the Rundu Town Council, which is unable to supply water largely due to millions of dollars owed to it by residents.

Rundu has been experiencing problems with its water supply for the past two to three years.

Residents, government institutions and businesses owe the Rundu Town Council a combined N.dollars 300 million, while the town council itself owes NamWater N.dollars 124 million.

“We don’t want to end up like the Rundu Town Council where we have to procure bulk water on monthly basis to distribute to residents. Residents should not think water is free and know that it comes at a cost. We want to be an orderly town,” he said.

Sindimba explained that to avoid having their water disconnected, residents with outstanding balances should pay their bills or approach the town council offices to make an arrangement if they are experiencing challenges in paying their accounts.

The CEO, who did not want to disclose how many residents owe the town council, said some individuals have not paid their bills for four months.

He said the town council started notifying residents of the plans to disconnect the water of defaulters last year by sending them text messages reminding them to pay.

Sindimba however noted that he is happy with Nkurenkuru residents who honour their payments and encouraged them to continue doing so, as the funds are amongst others used to maintain water pipes and treat the water.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency