No power, no water in Standerton
Eskom’s load-shedding continued unabatedly at Stages 4 and 5 which influenced the water supply.
One resident commented a town’s deterioration begins with electricity, then water, roads and rubbish until you hear the rats playing soccer in the ceiling.
Electricity was first and foremost on the minds of residents with water problems a close second.
Despite the dangers relating to cable theft, another incident took place on February 1.
Electricity to large parts of Standerton was affected and residents supplied from substation C had to wait for power to be restored.
Locals in mid-town, Meyerville and parts of the township were hit hardest.
The Standerton Advertiser has reported extensively on cable thieves and in some cases received front-page coverage,
Two men were electrocuted last year at two different places on Baumann Street and in the industrial area where the mini-substation was not securely closed. It happened in August and November respectively.
Lekwa Municipality has urged the community on more than one occasion to report cable theft at the nearest police station. To replace cables cost them millions of rands.
Residents at the end of their tether with power and water problems posted their chagrin on one WhatsApp group.
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Another part of the Coligny water line also collapsed the past week. A contractor was on site to join the PVC pipe.
Water interruptions followed and locals had to wait on the department of water and sanitation to open the valve.
On Thursday, the valve was closed to continue digging and replacing the pipe and Freedom Front Plus councillor Wilma Venter had to update Ward 10 residents.
Eskom’s load-shedding continued unabatedly at Stages 4 and 5 which influenced the water supply.
The contractor on the Coligny project was still digging late Thursday afternoon and the Square-pumping unit tripped on Friday at the Standerton water treatment plant.
Venter indicated that the water supply to Ward 3, 5, 7, 10, and 15 as well as Ext 8 was affected. DA councillor, Sithi Silosini, said on Friday the water situation is unacceptable.
According to Silosini, water is going directly to the network, causing challenges.
“Unless the reservoirs are filled up to 100%, residents of the town, Sakhile and Meyerville will continue to have problems,” she added.
Only the Kieser reservoir has water at the moment. Alberto Franco, DA councillor, said the water supply is dysfunctional as it has leakages.
“A budget has been approved by the department of water and sanitation to refurbish and reconstruct it.”
According to him, the contractor has established a site to begin work.
The Standerton Advertiser published an article in May last year about incidents of cable theft and vandalism.
Corné Stoltz, ward councillor in Meyerville, previously said he regularly patrols the streets in the early hours of the morning to check on any criminal activity.
A request was made to Lekwa to furnish statistics on cable theft, but no feedback was received at the time of going to press.
