HIGHVELD – Most residents have felt the effect of water throttling over the past week when GMM announced another 20 percent cut in levels, bringing water pressure to 60 percent.
For most, water was still accessible despite the pressure being low, however, some parts of GMM experienced little to no water at all for lengthy periods of time.
A media release was issued last week by acting municipal manager, Ms Elizabeth Tshabalala, announcing that Rand Water is throttling the water supply because GMM owes them R314-million. However, the Ridge Times has since found out that the debt is sitting at a staggering R351-million.
Throttling of water is affecting the communities of eMbalenhle, Leandra, Kinross, Evander, Secunda, Trichardt, Bethal and eMzinoni.
Rand Water has also declined a repayment proposal which was submitted on 24 August.
According to GMM, another meeting was held on 12 November wherein it was resolved that a follow-up meeting was to be held on 19 November. This meeting was once again postponed.
Besides water throttling, GMM blames vandals for damages to various pump stations which is said to worsen the situation as water cannot be pumped in and out of these water reservoirs.
“Continuous updates on the progress, as well as all other interventions will be proactively made through both print and social media.
“Let us take this opportunity to profusely apologise firstly for the late communication, as well as the negative impact that this is having on the rendering of water as a basic service,” said Ms Tshabalala.
Ms Mariaan Chamberlain, DA councillor, said she completely understands the frustration of residents and explained why some areas would experience no water at all.
“This is because normally when water gets throttled it is at 20 percent, however higher lying areas will have a little to less pressure but still have water to use. Now with throttling of up to 40 percent, higher areas will see little to no water supply.”
High-level areas which are largely affected are Secunda’s Ext 22, 23, higher areas in Voortrekker Street, Albany area and parts of Trichardt. Thistle Grove and the plotte (smallholdings) in Bethal have also reported having little to no water at all.
“The reservoir in Ext 22 is non-functional due to vandalism. There is no pump in the station, no doors, broken fencing and all electrical equipment and switches have been stolen,” said Ms Chamberlain.
She said the municipality has insurance, but the insurance company does not want to pay out because this is the second time this had happened.
According to Ms Chamberlain, in order for the insurance company to pay out, the pump station needs to be enclosed properly with 24-hour guards which financially the municipality is unable to do.
“For now the Ext 22 reservoir is like a white elephant on the hill.”
She said Secunda and Trichardt receive their water straight from Rand Water on a line coming from the Wildebeest reservoir or also known as the water towers on your way to Kinross, but there is not a pump that can pump the water up into Secunda’s Voortrekker Street, Ext 22, 23, Albany area and Trichardt industrial area.
“When the water pressure was at less 20 percent, all areas still had water but as soon as we were hit with a 40 percent throttle, this makes it difficult because there is not enough pressure in the lines to feed these areas,” explained Ms Chamberlain.
She also explained at some schools there will be water available on the ground level while on the second level, taps will have run dry.
She also said businesses in Trichardt had to put work on hold as they are unable to use equipment such as pressure hoses because there is no water supply.
She said water tankers have been arranged for higher areas in Bethal, however, residents have complained that the drivers of the trucks drive by too fast, making it impossible to collect water.
Ms Chamberlain said residents must make alternative arrangements by storing extra water in buckets or bottles in case of emergencies.
