Shaida Khan’s dilemma with a leaking water pipe began in March. The Bougainvillea Avenue resident thought the damp in her yard was probably due to rainfall, but this theory was soon dismissed.
“I realised we hadn’t had any rain in a while but there was a water leak coming into my driveway and seeping into the foundation. I immediately called uThukela District Municipality,” explains Ms Khan.
The source of the leak was stemming from a pipe about a metre from the gate, on the side of the concreted driveway.
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After informing local staff, Mrs Khan waited. As days turned into weeks, she took to a WhatsApp group for Forderville residents and reached out to the ward councillor and uThukela staff.
“Nothing happened. By this time, the water was flowing non-stop and there was mud everywhere. I was worried that the water would weaken the foundation and if this happened, would uThukela take responsibility for it?” Mrs Khan substantiated.
On September 9, help finally arrived at her residence.
“uThukela staff came and dug up my garden and driveway. They said they had tightened a clamp, which would stop the leak, but this has not happened. Although the non-stop flow has stopped, water is still dripping from the pipe, so it is not repaired. The staff also left the area uncovered and a courier driver almost went over the pipe recently. The staff seems uninterested,” she added.
Responding to Mrs Khan’s concerns, uThukela District Municipality Communications Manager Jabulani Mkhonza said that staff had returned to the home on Monday.
“They realised that indeed it was still leaking, so they fixed the leak again. The hole is left open on purpose in order to determine whether there is still a leak. This place will be monitored in order to make sure we have a lasting solution to the matter,” he said.
Water and sanitation-related problems can be reported to the uThukela Customer Care Centre on 086-010-4257.
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