Water crises severely affects town

Earlier this year in February, Hazyview experienced a water crisis which severely affected the economy of the town. Over the past 10 days Hazyview has yet again had to deal with the irregular supply of water. Residents reported that they had to contend with extended periods where no water was available. At other times when water was available for short periods in households and businesses it was filthy, filled with sand and smelt like it contained excrement.
The planned clean-up of the canal was scheduled for October but was brought forward to September. The change in the canal clean-up date was in fact to accommodate Mbombela’s plant to put in a new pipeline from the Sabi River pump station to the new treatment plant in the residential area.
The Sabi Irrigation Board gave a 7 days’ notice period to Mbombela of the intended rescheduling. On the day that the canal was closed Mbombela storage facilities were not filled to capacity and were holding less than 50% water.
“The evidence is there that the Irrigation board gave Mbombela Hazyview 7 days’ notice which should have been ample lead time in order for the department of water and Sanitation to fill and keep the water levels at high,” says DA Councillor Ken Robertson “After the water crisis earlier this year it is as if the municipality still does not realise the importance of water storage for in case of emergencies. To start pumping water out of the Hippo dam which is regularly polluted by sewage spills is an insult to the residents and rate payers of our town. Had the storage facilities been kept full, in my opinion, Mbombela would not have had to resort to the unnecessary pumping of water from the Hippo dam. I will be taking these issues to council as the people of Hazy view should not be subjected to this, again”.
Although attempts were made to obtain comment from Mbombela on the issue, none were received to date.