BETHAL – Some areas in Bethal have been without water for a week and residents have had just about enough of being deprived of proper running water facilities.
In one of the areas in Bethal a water leak had been reported.
“A contractor had been appointed for this water leak to put in a new line from the N17 up until the old reservoir near Jim van Tonder School,” said DA councillor, Ms Mariaan Chamberlain.
She said this specific reservoir has not been used for a long time.
“A decision had been made in the meantime to repair this reservoir, fill it up and use it as a back-up if there is a problem of water shortage.”
However, a problem on a water line occurred this past Sunday, 21 March, which Ms Chamberlain said had been reported to GMM.
“GMM contacted the contractor and said his work is not up to par and it needs to be fixed immediately and that Bethal is without water.
“The contractor didn’t even bother; the water is still running.”
She said parts of Bethal that did have water may now experience little to non because this specific pipe leak still needs to be fixed.
“We are losing thousands of litres of water and no one is holding the contractor responsible.”
Ms Chamberlain said, in the meantime, water tankers have been made available for areas that are without water, however, GMM are yet to fill these up.
She has been in contact with AfriForum to ensure the JoJo tanks at the AC Vorentoe Church in Regent Street are full. She said the system is recovering slowly and areas that have not been getting water days ago should now be receiving water.
These areas are the Bethal CBD and parts of eMzinoni.
Bethal’s Rand area, Ext 3 and Ext 8 are currently not getting water due to low levels in Bethal Rand reservoir.
The Ridge Times spoke to Mr Donald Green, acting head of communications for GMM, who said some areas in Bethal will see a water shutdown to repair leaks in Mooi Street and a leak at Van Heerden Street.
He said these leaks repairs will affect the water supply to Bethal CBD, Bethal Rand, Ext 3, Ext 5 and Ext 8.
