EDITOR – I am shocked by the fact that residents in KwaNyuswa have not had water for more than a month, and in some areas for more than two months.
Every day residents have to line up with a number of buckets and containers to collect water from the water truck. If they are out, for example if they are working, or if they need to go to the clinic, then they just don’t get water for that day.
A couple of weeks ago we did not have water for a day in Waterfall. The problem was fixed at about 10pm in the evening, meaning that the technicians would have been working late into the night to ensure that water was returned to the area. Why is this not the case for KwaNyuswa?
When residents call the municipality they are told that the roads are being worked on and so the pipes are damaged. How does Waterfall have water then, as we have extensive road works happening? From time to time the water does come on at about 2am, which means that the pipes must be usable.
UmZamo Primary School is only running from 8am until noon because of the water shortage, which means that children are missing out on two hours of school a day!
Now water is standing around in open containers and runs the risk of being contaminated. On top of that, many people in KwaNyuswa rely on vegetable gardens to supplement their food and they do not have enough water in this very dry winter, to water their gardens and so nutritious food is lacking.
Water is a fundamental need and a right for all people, not just those who live in more affluent areas. Come on, something needs to be done!
Tami Wright
Waterfall
