EDITOR – It is no secret that water is fast becoming a resource that we will eventually be fighting to get because of its gradual scarcity. I always tell my children with emphasis that every drop is precious and it is important that we preserve all the water that we can.
We have taken the liberty of installing a JoJo tank in our yard to keep rain water and use the recycled water to grow our orchids and wash our cars. I am dead serious – with us, no drop goes to waste.
However, it saddens me that the people in the forefront are not leading by good example for the rest of us residents to follow. The article on page two of your previous issue, dated Friday, 28 September, about water flooding Keeling Place for hours made realised that there is still a long way to go in this battle. While I understand that there is a procedure to be followed after reporting a case, I do feel like the municipality could tighten its screws and introduce initiatives that seek to work with private plumbers.
For example, in this case, the plumber got to the scene before city officials – how about making that a part of the procedure? I suggest that the city starts working together with private plumbers in order to save this precious resource. So, instead of residents waiting for hours, hoping that water does not soak up their belongings, a private plumber could come in to shut down the mains until officials arrive.
The house owner said had she not been at home when the pipe had burst, her house would have been flooded. Who would have been responsible for replacing her home appliances? Whose fault would it have been? I call on city officials, the councillor and the residents to take it upon themselves to save each drop. Water will always be a need in our society, let’s treat it with respect and get into the habit of using it sparingly.
Thabisa Mthethwa
Hillary
