Over burdened resources and severe backlogs are threatening the well being of residents from Mthweni in ward six.
About 50 households depend solely on the murky stream that runs through the area.
The residents say that trenches were dug in 2009 and have been lying dormant since then.
Sightings of water trucks are few and far between.
Some residents claim that during the run-up to the May 7 general elections, the water tanker delivered fresh clear water on May 6.
Residents were not fooled by this election eve ploy and it’s been more than three weeks since the sturdy white tanker made its way through the dusty roads.
The water that is collected from the stream is obviously of an inferior quality.
The families that consume the water adopt no cleansing process, they say that it’s collected and used for household and personal use daily.
Besides the lack to a basic service, the residents say they are lacking a clinic, scholar transport and denied employment opportunities within the Community Work Project.
“We ask that government recognises us too. We need to be treated like others,” they said.
Water services provider Uthukela District Municipality was consulted about the matter.
Municipal Manager Mr SN Kunene said that the lack of service delivery to places like Mthweni could be blamed on the “huge volume of backlogs”.
“We are working tirelessly to get the backlog addressed in all the areas within our jurisdiction, evidenced by the number of contractors that have been introduced to communities. We are only approaching mid-2014 but already four water contractors have been introduced to construct water reservoirs in Weenen alone.
Although it is not simple to get complete coverage within limited period, we are working towards providing running water to every community within uThukela,” commented Mr Kunene.
While not commenting specifically on water delivery in Mthweni, the Municipal Manager said that 500 water tanks have been purchased and are being distributed to “needy areas’.
“It is our duty to ensure that these tanks are filled with water all times, but should that not be the case, we urge community members to inform us by calling 0860 104 257 at all times,” he said.
Mr Kunene added that areas like Mthweni and Mngwenya were previously privately owned farms and when the Land Affairs Department acquired the land, provision of water services became the responsibility of UTD, which caused further backlogs.