Some residents in Bethal have been without water for seven days now after Govan Mbeki Municipality failed to pay Rand Water.
The municipality owes Rand Water R136 million and they have not reached an agreement with the water supplier yet.
The municipality will meet with Rand Water on Friday to discuss possible solutions.
Ms Marietjie Fourie, DA Councillor in Bethal, informed residents that the municipal manager gave permission to begin the re-distribution of water to provide everybody with low pressure water.
“Please keep in mind that there is no quarantee that this will work and the impact will not be instant,” said Ms Fourie.
“We all know by this time that it takes time for the water system to fill up.”
Ms Fourie asked the community to help by volunteering to help old people and people without transport to ‘adopt’ one other family and collect water for them as well.
Mr Benzi Soko, Chief of Staff of Govan Mbeki Municipality, sent a message stating:
“The fact that there are people who are being adversely affected by the water challenges, should make us to re-think our priorities.
“No family should be exposed to this violation.
“The water situation is a ticking time bomb that will explode and blow up into our faces.
“As we speak, there are affected people who are in the process of launching lawsuits against the municipality for violating their constitutional rights.”
Ms Fourie urged residents to be prepared for two days without water because even if the municipality reaches an agreement with Rand Water, it will take 48 hours or longer for the reservoirs to fill up and pump at full capacity.
She asked people with knowledge to join a community meeting at 5pm today to be involved with discussions about the redistribution plan of water.
Ms Fourie said she thinks that Rand Water bills Govan Mbeki Municipality on four bills which is divided into four areas in the Govan Mbeki municipal area.
This comes after Rand Water issued a press release yesterday where they state that the municipality owes them more than R87-million and they reduced water pressure by 40 per cent.
They also stated that the areas affected are Bethal, eMbalenhle, Leandra and Kinross.
“Some areas in Secunda such as Extention 22 is already experiencing low pressure while the lower areas still have water,” said Ms Fourie.
Points in Bethal where residents can collect water are:
* Bethal Caravan Park. There is a fire hydrant at the gate for those who want to fill bigger containers.
* 690 Freed Avenue. There is a hose pipe on the side walk, no need to call first, collect any time 24 hours a day.
* 696 Schlossberg (Marita Oosthuizen)
* 4 Chris Hani (Sarel Joubert)
* 662 van Heerden (Theunetta Ludike)
*5 Ribbok (Sarel v Rensburg) this is drinking water, borehole is not very strong, please use sparingly)
*30 Main (Sarel v Rensburg) – small donation request to cover pumping cost.
* Water truck @ Kiewietpark Flats Davel road untill 5pm – water in truck not for drinking) (Turnkey Civil Group)
*Water tanker at Laerskool Marietjie van Niekerk (anonymous donor).
Ms Fourie thanked everyone who is prepared to help with supplying water.
