RESIDENTS of Musgrave have for the past six years watched in despair as “fresh water” oozes from a stormwater drain, running along St Thomas Road, down to Vause Road.

Despite endless complaints and reports to the City, nothing has been done to mitigate the problem.
Arnold Bate has lived in the area for over two years, and has witnessed the water issue that had been ongoing for years before he arrived.

“Several residents have over the years sent complaints to the City. Six years on, water still runs down the road 24/7. The city of eThekwini is experiencing serious water shortages, and to see fresh water being wasted on a daily basis is concerning. These tons of water could be used where it’s much needed.

“When it rains, the situation is worse, the drain over-floods and creates massive inconvenience for pedestrians and motorists,” added Bates.

In November 2024, some residents received an assurance from the city’s Department of Water and Sanitation, stating that they were “working on it”.

Also read: Blocked stormwater drain causes damage

A month ago a team from water management reportedly investigated and “they put dye in the water to see where the leak is”. However, no further action had been taken.

Lorraine McLean, chairperson of the body corporate at Wilton Gardens on St Thomas Road, Musgrave also shared her anguish, “Musgrave is falling apart and our pleas are falling on deaf ears. We are the highest rate contributors for Ward 31, yet we are the most neglected in every aspect of service delivery. We have photos depicting what we are struggling with daily. The source of water and endless leaks have attracted the homeless who wash themselves and their clothes right outside our complex.”

Local councillor, Remona Mckenzie, acknowledged the long-standing challenge.

“There are many water leaks and burst pipes within the Ward 31 area. I have sent emails to the department as well as the head of Water and Sanitation. I have expressed my concerns and requested a designated team to address the huge amount of water leaks in our ward. We also need a thorough investigation as to why we have excessive water leaks. I believe it’s not just Ward 31, many areas in the City have this issue. We have an ongoing crisis due to the wastage from water leaks and burst pipes in our city that are unattended to in time. These very same leaks, as residents have indicated, are going on for six years now, prior to my inception as a Ward Councillor and still not resolved.

Also read: ‘The city is crumbling right at our feet’

“The plumbers have come out and the blame is shifted to Stormwater Department. There was a thorough investigation by Stormwater Department and they have cleaned and cleared the manhole. They have indicated that this issue should be attended to by Water and Sanitation department because they assumed there’s a broken water pipe underground at the reservoir,” added Mckenzie.

Four weeks ago Berea Mail sent enquiries to the City of eThekwini, with a list of reference numbers received by complaining residents. No response has been received.

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