Gushing water leak finally gets some attention

A LEAK that was first noticed in September last year and has been left unattended despite complaints to the municipality and local ward councillor by resident, John Biggs, is finally being investigated.

Biggs contacted Berea Mail after getting no joy from the municipality. “I walk in Essenwood Road early, around 4.10am every week day and have heard water running down a drain that is situated in the middle of the road. I have spoken to owner of Nomads B&B which is further up the road and he said they had reported it many times. The department came to look last year but nothing has happened except vast quantities of water are still freely flowing away,” he said.

Biggs said if water was not such a vital commodity one could just laugh it off. “Now the municipality have the cheek to want to fine us for using water, however nothing is done about this water that is gushing away. It took them two years to sort out a leak in Berea Road between Essenwood and Musgrave that most Durbanites will remember a year or so ago, I hope this isn’t the case here,” he said.

Ward councillor Jethro Lefevre said this was a serious complaint which needed urgent intervention.

EThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson, Thulani Mbatha said the matter had been referred to the relevant unit. “ A water technician has been on site and is investigating the source of the leak.”

He said the Municipality urged residents to continue reporting illegal water connections and water leaks to 080 13 13 013.

Residents can also use the number 083 707 3013 to SMS when reporting water leaks or email Eservices@durban.gov.za