RESIDENTS of Rolling Hills Country Club in uMhlanga voiced their frustration and unhappiness over the lack of water supply they’ve been suffering with for several months.

Outside of the recent announcement of the water curtailment programme, elderly residents have to endure a limited and intermittent water supply.

Residents revealed that during the day, they do not have any water supply, making life ‘intolerable’.

In an effort to get answers for residents, new Ward 35 councillor Bradley Singh held a public meeting last week where he invited officials from eThekwini Water Services (EWS) to address residents, however, no officials from the municipality were present.

Also read: Umhlanga Tourism confident water curtailment programme won’t affect visitor numbers

Last week, across Durban, water supply was hampered by an increased volume of algae at the Albert Falls, Nagle and Inanda Dams which was announced by the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board.

This excess algae has had a negative effect on volumes of water that can be treated at the Durban Heights Waterworks.

The Durban Heights reservoir is critical for the supply of water in eThekwini as it provides 590 megalitres of water per day and also supplies areas in the north.

However, many residents at the meeting rubbished the claims and said they did not feel that was the case.

Rolling Hills resident Fazila Gandhi said many residents felt ‘offended and disappointed’ that no officials from the City were present for the meeting.

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“This issue has gone on for well over a year. When we have no water, we rely on the water tankers which park near the satellite police station on Autumn Drive. So many of the residents cannot carry buckets of water to their homes because they are elderly. We have asked the councillor if it is possible for the water tanker to drive closer to the country club.

“The water situation has become intolerable. For people who’ve reached our age, paid our dues and contributed to society and at retirement have to face this issue is horrible. We are disappointed and offended that no one showed up from the municipality to explain why we have no water during the day. We want a timeframe, and we are calling for a follow-up meeting. There’s no water during the day and late at night, and we have water when most residents are asleep,” she said.

Bradley Singh said he sympathised with the residents and promised another follow-up meeting to address some of the residents’ concerns.

“We have a serious issue with water pressure across eThekwini, and I was told that Ward 35 would not suffer the restrictions because the water usage, on average, was lower than other areas. Last month, the City explained that there would be no blanket approach to installing restrictors and, instead, they would prioritise areas where there is a high level of water wastage.

“Having said that, we still sit with a problem where residents don’t have water in this area, and the residents want answers. The municipality needs to explain why the pump station is not supplying enough water to the area and what is being done to remedy the situation. Many residents raised valid points, and they deserve answers. I will be following up with senior officials in the hopes of setting up a follow-up meeting,” he said.

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