EVATON.– The residents of Evaton West Ext 7 have, for years now, been struggling to have the most significant source of life, water.

It is said that taps have been dry in the area for years, and the local councillor and the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) are aware of the situation.

About 100 households are affected, forcing locals to walk long distances with buckets to collect water from water tanks. Ward 24 councillor, Hezekiel Shabalala, said that he went to Metsi-a-Lekoa to confirm if they are aware of the issue of dry taps.

According to Shabalala, the water utility said they are aware of the situation.

He explained that before 2017, the reservoirs could pump 10 bars to the community. After the infrastructure challenge Metsi-a-Lekoa faced, the pressure was reduced to eight bars, leaving the community receiving only two bars.

“Experiencing complaints from the community, they then came out with a strategy to close water from 18:00 to 6:00 to fill up the reservoirs, but this is not solving the issue,” Shabalala said.

High-lying places like part of Sebokeng, Evaton North, and Evaton West remain affected because there is less (low) pressure, unable to push water to reach these places.

According to Shabalala, the municipality plans to build a reservoir in Evaton West to improve supply.

“The municipality said that it is waiting to have funds to kick-start the project, maybe by next year.”