HIGHVELD – At the time of going to press, areas in GMM were seeing their fifth day without water on Monday, 24 May.
In a media statement sent out on 20 May, Rand Water announced a shutdown in the water supply to certain municipalities.
This was because of maintenance to the existing M8 pipeline.
This affected the bulk water supply to the Selcourt reservoirs and Bloemendal pumping station.
The outage was planned for 18 to 19 May.
DA councillor, Ms Mariaan Chamberlain had warned residents that water would only be restored within 48 to 72 hours after the repair was done.
She had also requested residents whose water began returning, to use water sparingly. This would take off the strain on the lines for other areas to get water.
Higher lying areas have been feeling the strain as these areas would be the last to see water flow.
The reservoir in Ext 22 has also not been functioning for years due to vandalism and no maintenance.
However, in the state of the municipality address held on 12 May, Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, Mayor for GMM, indicated that the municipality is looking at the possibility of going off the grid by installing solar systems in all municipality buildings.
They are pushing for their buildings to be environmentally friendly. The project is worth more than R200-million.
“The municipality is putting plans in place to fix the reservoir in Ext 22 that was damaged by vandals,” said Mr Lucky Mhlongo, municipal spokesman.
In the meantime, residents have been taking out their anger and frustration about the water situation on social media.
They said that in a time South Africa is fighting a pandemic, they are being deprived of a basic human of having access to clean running water.
Some schools also remained closed on Monday due to no water.
In the meantime, while water had been shut down, thieves had a field day stealing water meters in and around GMM.
This has placed an extra strain on the water supply in areas.
