A tally of the past few days on one WhatsApp-group, revealed electricity supply problems and a growing concern among residents about water supply.
To add insult to injury, Telkom-lines were playing up.
Mid-town was hit in earnest with power interruptions and the regularity of street names appearing on social media platforms, caused many locals to join the waiting game.
The heavens opened on Saturday, October 2 and torrents of rain fell, followed by a hail storm.
The volume of electrical faults was such that a list was drawn up and the landline number of the fire brigade could not be used.
A cable burnt, breakers were isolated and a water pipe needed attention.
Lekwa Municipality indicated that the 017 712 9600 number be used and a reference number obtained.
Towards the end of the month, the municipality was abstracting adequate water for purification purposes.
Some residents took a look at their municipal accounts and began comparing water usage with the readings.
The Standerton Advertiser took note of the reservoir in Kieser Street which was spilling water on October 3.
Water then flows freely into Leyds Street and motorists have no choice, but to circumvent the potholes to drive on the far-left side, when going east.
Short of putting up a camp stool outside the reservoir daily, the fluctuation of this occurrence could not be established.
According to another WhatsApp-group, residents of Sakhile did not escape unscathed either with Draaihoek Farm, and Elm Tree notably asking assistance with power outages.
Ext 6 and Ext 7, especially flat dwellers in Ext 8, Rooikoppen, Ext 9 and the people dependent on electricity from the J-line, also reported outages.
Meyerville was not spared water woes with a broken water pipe and one complaint of water pressure was posted, which is only sufficient during certain hours.
According to information, a TLB was needed in Robert Street after the resident posted a message that the problem had been reported 15 times.
The Standerton Advertiser contacted Mr Gary van Aswegen, chairman of the Vaal Business Forum, on Wednesday, October 6 for comment.
With regard to electricity problems, Mr Van Aswegen said electricity usage in summer is less than in winter.
“We are bargaining on the court case, set for November 20, to get the notified maximum demand of 55 lifted,” he added.
“We believe it is our only hope before going into winter again.”
With regard to water problems, Mr Van Aswegen is of the opinion that the administrator, Mr Johann Mettler, is making a difference.
Ageing infrastructure was once again mentioned as the root of the problem.
A meeting was requested to discuss the new billing system for water usage after the forum queried the increases on accounts.
The Standerton Advertiser had already contacted the communications manager of the municipality, Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, via WhatsApp, on September 23 for comment on the water situation.
Ms Mtshiselwa replied the same day that she will request a report from the relevant department.
A message was sent on Thursday, October 7 with a question about the sustainability of the town’s infrastructure in heavy weather.
Readers will be updated once comment is received.
