Sand River residents face ongoing water shortages after the City of Mbombela missed its July deadline to restore supply to decade-old taps.

For years, residents have been waiting for the taps to deliver what they say was promised to them. Instead, many continue to struggle without a dependable supply of clean water, raising questions about whether the infrastructure was ever properly planned and maintained.

The issue has become particularly frustrating for residents who say the taps were installed about 10 years ago, yet they have still not enjoyed a consistent water supply.

ALSO READ: Sand River residents left without water as CoM misses deadline

Material shortages delay pipe installation

In April, CoM spokesperson Joseph Ngala told Mpumalanga News that the municipality was experiencing a shortage of materials.

The municipality indicated that pipe installation would commence once the required materials became available and that the work was expected to be completed by July.

However, July has come and gone, with residents still waiting for answers and reliable water. The municipality has also come under scrutiny over its water tankers. Residents say that despite the city acquiring new tankers to provide relief, they have not received regular water deliveries.

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Water tankers fail to deliver relief

According to residents, some households have experienced two years without receiving water from municipal tankers, leaving them with few alternatives but to seek water from nearby streams.

The situation has raised serious concerns about the safety and dignity of residents who are forced to share polluted river and stream water with animals.

For residents, the frustration goes beyond the current shortage. They question why infrastructure was installed almost 10 years ago if the municipality has been unable to ensure that water consistently reaches the taps.

The failure to meet the July deadline has further weakened confidence in the municipality’s promises, with residents now demanding transparency about what has delayed the project and when they can realistically expect water to flow.

The silence following the missed deadline has also angered residents. Ngala, who previously provided an explanation for the delay, has not provided a further response to explain why the July commitment was not fulfilled.

Residents say they should not have to continue living without a basic service such as clean and reliable water.