Hosepipes or no hosepipes?

The old age home association was told on Friday (October 14) that they can use hand-held hosepipes between 6pm and 6am, but the sanction was retracted on Monday (October 17), as it had not been approved by the member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for water and sanitation.

Clr Derek Thomson (Ward One), the DA spokesperson for the department of water and sanitation, gave Rynpark the permission “based on age, their (elderly) ability to carry a 5l bucket or watering can, and based on the fact that the statement (from the metro) is ambiguous in its totality”.

With continued confusion around the nature of the water restrictions implemented in Ekurhuleni, Thomson told residents there would be more clarity on the limits after a meeting with the MMC for water and sanitation, Clr Tiisetso Nketle, on October 19.

In an email to the association, the councillor said, “The EMM (metro) is sending out conflicting statements regarding the use of hosepipes in retirement villages.”

“I have suggested that until I get clarity from the MMC on October 19, the above said villages make use of a hosepipe after 6pm or before 6am, with a 50 per cent time reduction.”

Thomson told the City Times that this meant Rynpark residents have his permission to water between 6pm and 6am with a hosepipe, but only for half as long as they usually would.

“I will work through it point-for-point at the meeting,” Thomson said of the confusion surrounding the water restrictions.

“When I have it officially, where I’ve sat in a committee with the MMC, and she says: ‘Derek, we can’t use hoses’, I will put out a press release.”

After the permission was pulled back, Marius Botha, Rynpark’s executive manager, said: “That is disheartening, because I already gave the message through to residents, as I’d received it in writing, but now we’ll have to retract it.”

“Rynpark has more than 1 000 residents and from management’s side, we always want to be careful not to raise false expectations through our communications.”

Botha said he was under the impression permission had been granted officially.

A Rynpark resident queried whether or not Ekurhuleni’s restrictions were ever gazetted (officially announced).

Themba Gadebe, the metro spokesperson, said each municipality implements its own restrictions to achieve the 15 per cent saving called for in the national gazette.

He said the restrictions currently in place in Ekurhuleni, were voted on and approved in council.

Gwen Gush, who also stays in Rynpark Four, expressed relief at being given leniency, but was disappointed to hear the permission was nullified.

Before the sanction was pulled back, several residents of the old age home said SMSs were sent out stating they were allowed to use hand-held hosepipes between 6pm and 6am.

No comment regarding the permission given to Rynpark was received from the metro at the time of going to print.