THE communities of Waterfall and Crestholme have united behind a call to the eThekwini Municipality for much-needed infrastructure upgrades.

This call, said Julie Cox of the ratepayers’ association, emanates from “constant” electricity and water outages, as well as unmaintained roads.

These communities will convene a meeting on Saturday, November 22, at 209 Inanda Road, Crinkly Bottom in Waterfall starting at 10:00. It is expected that officials from the municipality will attend the meeting.

Cox said the electricity and water outages have been ongoing for years without any resolution in sight.

“There just never seems to be money available,” said Cox, who added that these infrastructure upgrades are now more crucial with housing developments springing up in these areas, whilst some are in the pipeline.

Water pipes burst regularly, said Cox, with supply affected by issues related to reservoirs.

According to Cox, the last power outage in a certain section of the area was about a week ago and lasted for about three days.

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“It is just old infrastructure,” said Cox, who also said that another contributing factor is cable theft, an issue which has been raised with the local police and the municipality.

The theft of brass stop cocks – valves controlling water flow into properties – also adversely affects locals, said Cox, with night patrols by local security unable to “be everywhere all the time”, and these highlighting a need for more security cameras.

“We are trying our best,” said Cox.

Another agenda topic will be stormwater drains which were badly damaged when flooding hit the area, with Inanda Road heavily damaged.

Potholes, which are constantly being patched, an exercise viewed as “a waste of money”, will also be discussed.

“The whole road needs to be re-tarred all the way from Waterfall to Molweni,” said Cox.

Residents want the municipality to start work on these infrastructure upgrades as soon as possible.

“But at the same time we do understand the municipality has issues with money, they have constraints as well,” said Cox.

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