Leaking pipe wrecks havoc in street

LYDENBURG – A frustrated resident of the town says Thaba Chweu Municipality (TCM) needs to stop the gushing stream in front of his yard to save water. A pipe has been leaking and wasting water since last week.

When Mr Wikus Haman and his neighbours called TCM they were told that someone would be sent to fix the pipe. But they are still waiting.

“We called them on Friday and nobody pitched. Workers of the municipality turned up on Sunday but said it was a big job which they could not do at that moment and would have to return to fix it. It is already Wednesday and they have not returned,” said Haman.

The Steelburger/Lydenburg News previously reported about the alarming drop in the water levels of various dams in the province according to a report by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (Dwaf), yet the municipality cannot fix a pipe which has been reported several times.

“There is a big tree next to the pipe and close to the road. With the water flowing all day it might fall and possibly injure someone or damage a car,” he said.

The water was flowing into his neighbours’ yard and has created pools. “The country is experiencing a severe drought, and to see water wasted like this, is not acceptable.”

The municipal spokesman, Mr Puleng Mapheto said the municipality was aware of the leak, and it would be fixed on Wednesday afternoon. According to Mapheto the municipality would like to apologise for the fact that the leaking pipe could not be fixed quicker. This was due to a staff shortage.