NWC, what's happening?

THE EDITOR, Sir:

On December 14, 2010, WGS10 compensation was sought from the National Water Commission (NWC) after receiving three consecutive estimated water bills. NWC's response by way of a letter dated December 21, 2010 and which was received on January 11, 2011 stated, in part, "... Several attempts have been made to read and verify the working condition of the water meter but have proven futile as we are unable to gain access to the premises. As a result, your request for WGS10 compensation is not applicable."

This was confirmed when I spoke to a very courteous senior customer care officer on January 12, 2011, and she promised that she would investigate. Interestingly, for the past 17 or so years, the meter box has remained at the same position it has been, which is outside of the premises, on the sidewalk, in front of the house and with unrestricted access to anyone.

But, that's not all. The new meter which was installed January-February 2010 was removed and replaced sometime in late December 2010 with another meter of seemingly no better quality, or with no apparent additional features.

The last (current) bill received and marked 'final bill', and based on an alleged actual reading, seems to indicate that there was an unusually large consumption over the period when the meter was not being read or, given that the NWC was not able "to verify the working condition", that the meter was defective.

I thought the changing of the meter was suspicious, and I have indicated to the NWC that I would only accept their reading if I was able to verify the actual reading on the removed meter or, failure to do so, the average consumption would have to be applied, given the lies stated in its December 21, 2010 letter.

But that's not all. In trying to find out why the less than one-year-old water meter was changed, I was informed that there was an ongoing programme to change out all existing water meters, no matter how new, with meters from China. Can this really be so?

costs to be borne

The typical life of a domestic water meter is in the order of seven years, and even if one is getting a similar meter free of cost, surely there are some logistical and other costs to be borne by one getting the free meter.

And what if it is not free?

And what has or will become of the old, albeit less than one-year-old meter that was removed?

But, that's not all. I have also learnt, albeit not confirmed, that the actual installation of the meters is carried out by a project team under the supervision of Asians. Am I to believe that after how many ever years of the NWC and whatever was its predecessor, Jamaicans or NWC plumbers are not able to install water meters for domestic use?