A MAJOR burst on the water trunk main that feeds Summerveld has left Shongweni and Summerveld residents without water for nine consecutive days.
But while officials say they are aware of the problem and are currently repairing the fault, the residents will have to endure another two or three days without water, before the pipes are repaired.
Hours dragged on each day before residents could collect water from the eThekwini water tanks, while others resorted to either ‘borrowing’ water from family living in other surburbs or petrol stations and even buying water in order to complete daily tasks at home. Residents were furious about why technicians were taking so long to find the fault.
Neil Macleod of eThekwini Water and Sanitation department said the particular fault probably started as a leak, then started eroding the surrounding fill to such an extent that the brittle AC pipe had no lateral support. The pipe then broke in two, which is classified as a burst.
“Given the location, the nature of the damage caused by the burst pipe, and lack of good access to the site, the water could be re-instated at the end of the day (Monday 7 October), but site re-instatement could take two or three days,” said Macleod.
He said three tankers, carrying 14 to 15 kilolitres of water, were dispatched to the areas. The first group of complaints came from the SA Jockey Academy which reported the fault as an intermittent water flow. The jockey academy needed 50 litres of water per horse per day to sustain their horses.
Romaine Hubbard Baker, a resident in the area, said her husband had been in contact with the senior ANC official, Belinda Barratt. She said the residents will certainly not be getting any water in the next 24 to 36 hours.
“The problem requires digging up an entire road and replacing all the pipes. Barratt has asked us to relay messages through to the Summerveld community, via the Summerveld KZN Facebook page and inform residents that technicians will be working on the problem 24 hours around the clock,” said Baker.
Mici Mcleod, a resident in Summerveld, said her husband who is a dialysis patient has been admitted to hospital three times since the water problem occurred. His treatment requires large amounts of water and they were forced to use tap water, which was highly dosed with chlorine. This impacted drastically on her husband’s health, causing his haemoglobin levels too drop dangerously low.
“His hospital fees have amounted to more than R75 000. At the end of the day we are liable for this unnecessary cost and we still don’t have any water at home,” said Mici.
According to Barratt, the water problem has now been escalated to senior city engineers.
Mici Mcleod, a resident in Summerveld said her husband, who is on dialysis, has been admiited to hospital three times since the water problem occurred.
She said the renal unit at the hospital has their own water filtration plant that could not cope with the excess chlorine overload. Filters have to be changed more often after frequent water testing. Prior to each dialysis session water is tested.
“There were 22 patients at Hillcrest NRC and all 22 of them had Hb problems. Their haemoglobin levels dropped dangerously low. My point is that when we do have water – the quality is not up to standard and patients pay the price,” said Mici.
She said her husband’s hospital fees have amounted to more than R75000, and at the end of the day they are liable for this unneccesary cost, and they still don’t have any water at home.
Although officials believe the water will be reinstated by lunch time on Tuesday 8 October, they said they are fully aware of residents pressures with horses, animals and the vetinary hospitals in the area and were apologetic.
