Launch of research report on pre-paid water meters in Phiri
Friday 3 November 2006
NEW FINDINGS ON THE IMPACT OF PRE-PAID WATER METERS IN PHIRI (SOWETO)
RESEARCH REPORT ENTITLED - ‘LESSONS IN THE WAR AGAINST PREPAID WATER METERS’ - TO BE PUBLICLY LAUNCHED TOMORROW (SATURDAY)
LAUNCH DETAILS DATE: Saturday 4th November TIME: From 09h00 - 12h00 VENUE: Phiri Hall DIRECTIONS: To get to Phiri Hall (from Johannesburg city): take the MI highway south and take the offramp to the Old Potch Road, Soweto; Proceed down Old Potch past Baragwanath hospital and past the University of Johannesburg campus (old Vista University), and past the Moroka Police Station; Turn right into Mapalane Rd (about the 3rd robot after Moroka Police Station). Phiri Hall is less than 2km further down on the right.
On Saturday the 4th of November, the Coalition Against Water Privatisation will be launching a research report on the impact of prepaid water meters in Phiri. A survey was conducted in Phiri, Soweto, during May this year to investigate how residents have experienced the use of prepaid meters to access water. While Johannesburg Water claims the meters have saved 90 billion litres of water since the introduction of the meters in August 2003 and that 98% of the residents are happy with the new system, the survey tells another story. *Lessons from the War Against Prepaid Water Meters* describes how residents have moderated their water usage to cope with the prepaid restriction on their consumption. And through engagement with residents who still resist the implementation of the prepaid system, the research report also uncovers how the struggle for the right to water still continues.
The launch of this research comes at a time when the Coalition Against Water Privatisation is testing the constitutionality of the prepaid meter through an ongoing High Court case. These latest findings from the frontline in Phiri will influence the court challenge as a speaker from the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at the launch tomorrow will reflect. Representatives from other organisations will also be at the launch to voice their support for the struggle - legal and otherwise - against the meters. These include the Orange Farm Water Crisis Committee, Khanya College, the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee and the Freedom of Expression Institute.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION/COMMENT CONTACT: Ishmael on 072-975-6774 or Jabu 072-897-6059
*** IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A PDF FILE COPY OF THE REPORT PLEASE CONTACT Dale McKinley - [email protected]
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