RESIDENTS in Machap Baru are reeling from unexpected water bill hikes following a recent water meter replacement project. The situation has caused widespread confusion and frustration.
The situation came to light after a villager, identified by the surname Dai, posted on Facebook that their water bill jumped from RM14.64 in February to a staggering RM21,759.59!
On top of that, other villagers also reported significant increases after the replacements, with bills climbing from the usual RM10-20 range to between RM100-200.
Village chief Cai Wenbo confirmed that the Jia Zhou Water Company’s contractor began replacing old meters three months ago.
However, concerns are rising as only 30% of the village has received new meters, raising questions about potential widespread billing errors.
In regards to this, Cai Wenbo suspects faulty new meters might be causing the excessive charges.
While the state government implemented a recent water tariff increase, it still wouldn’t explain the dramatic hikes seen in some bills.
Village leader Cai Wenbo additionally reported the issue to the local Member of Parliament, Wei Xisen. Wei has pledged to request an investigation by the Malacca Water Company, particularly into the Dai family’s exorbitant bill.
Furthermore, Cai Wenbo advises residents not to panic if their bills double.
They can visit the water company to report the issue and potentially receive adjusted charges based on previous usage.
Additionally, the water company will replace faulty meters free of charge.
It’s important to note that Ma Jiebaru Village, adjacent to Ma Jiewong Wubai Meixin Village, is also undergoing meter replacements, but hasn’t reported similar bill surges.
In a follow-up post, the resident identified by the surname Dai confirmed their issue has been resolved with the help of the village chief and the state assemblyman.
Their bill thankfully turned out to be a much more manageable RM11.33.
While this is a positive development for those initially impacted, it underscores the importance of thorough testing and clear communication during infrastructure projects.
The swift action taken by village leaders and the water company demonstrates their commitment to addressing resident concerns and ensuring accurate billing.
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