The City of Mbombela (CoM) continues its operations to eliminate illegal water connections and stop the theft of municipal water in Nsikazi.

On October 15, the CoM’s technicians, accompanied by a multisectoral team of members of the CoM law enforcement and SAPS, disconnected and confiscated a number of 10 000L water tanks that were used to store water obtained through illegal connections at various hotspots across KaBokweni and Pienaar. These included water tanker filling points for privately owned tankers, unauthorised car washes and illegal connections to homes.

This operation and previous others are a result of the municipality’s remedy to the bulk water losses the Nsikazi South Bulk Water Scheme suffers from all these illegal connections. This results in communities along the Silulumanzi concession areas (new bulk pipeline) and Mbombela distribution area (old bulk pipeline) being affected.

Ngala said these illegal water uses include water tanker filling points, unauthorised car washes and illegal connections to homes.

The total volume of water pumped to the main pump station, Ezweni Reservoir, is about 44 million litres per day. “The total water lost in the old pipeline is about 12 million litres per day. Currently, we are getting a maximum of 6ML per day reaching Clau-Clau. If the 12 million lost is recovered, this would translate to 18 million litres per day reaching the Mbombela supply areas. This means that reservoirs in Omo, Ngulubeni, Gutshwa, Themba Hospital, Teka Tako and Mbonisweni would be filled three times a week as opposed to only once, as is currently the case.”

ALSO READ: Some community members in Mpumalanga share their frustration on lack of water supply

Ngala said another 11 million litres per day is lost in the Silulumazi concession areas, which include Pienaar, Msogwana, Alie, Maminza, Lehawu West, Newscom, Zwelisha and Phakane. He said there are challenges in the scheme. “Our technicians have on several occasions been chased away from working or conducting maintenance at the Ezweni Reservoir. To sustain water supply to the old pipeline, we have to remove illegal connections weekly, and at the moment it has just become impossible. However, we are working on the issue. It’s just that at the moment, the demand for water exceeds the supply. Community members are warned to refrain from connecting illegally as it also seen as tampering with the municipality’s infrastructure, which is a crime. Those who are caught to have connected illegally will be dealt with accordingly,” Ngala said.

“The City will seek legal advice and pursue all unauthorised connections to its bulk line to ensure that such are criminally charged. Communities are strongly discouraged from supporting unscrupulous water tanker owners who continue to sabotage municipal infrastructure in pursuit of self-enrichment.”