Residents expressed outrage and helplessness as they watched millions of litres of fresh water go down the drain in the Drakensview area. A heavy flow of water appeared to be emanating from the Tom Cross Water Works.

Residents in the area reported that the water leak began on Friday and continued unabated until Monday. Despite several calls to Uthukela District Municipality’s customer care centre at various intervals from Friday and throughout the weekend, the leak was left unattended.

A resident said on Sunday afternoon that failure by the district municipality to repair the water flow was in direct contravention of its notices to conserve water and water restrictions.
“We are in the middle of a drought, and yet in Estcourt fresh water is wasted,” said the resident.

On Monday morning a resident who lives in Graham McFie Street said that she had called the care centre about five times.

“I am tired of wasting my airtime,” said the exasperated resident. This leak has been like this for three days,” she added.
Locals also took to Facebook to vent their frustration, calling the water wastage ‘criminal’.

Uthukela District Municipality’s Communication Officer Jabulani Mkhonza was sent photographs and questions regarding the prolonged repair. No response was received at the time of going to print.