11 days with no water… and still counting

WHAT are consumers expected to believe if Ugu District Municipality keeps telling us lies and making false promises?

This is what frustrated residents asked a Herald reporter recently.

Manaba residents have been forced to live without water for 11 days, while taps have run dry for 10 days in Uvongo.

“Every time we phone the call centre they say we will have water restored that night, while their bosses are telling us to expect it to be repaired in three weeks,” said Debbie Cook, living in Alamein Avenue, Uvongo.

She said elderly residents living in her complex were taking strain as they were unable to lift 20-litre water drums. She said it was a health hazard, as already she knew of three people who have had upset stomachs.

Valerie Ungerer, who resides on Mitchell Road, Manaba, said only two tankers had arrived in 11 days. And those living in Mitchell Road have to drive or walk to the water tanker placed in Tucker Street.

She also questioned how the elderly were expected to lift and carry drums in order to collect water. She wanted to know why Ugu couldn’t call in staff from other areas, as Eskom does, to fix the problem.

“If you are paying for a service, you should receive a service. The minute you don’t pay, they disconnect you… so what rights does a paying consumer have?” questioned Ms Ungerer.

A meeting was held with Ward 19 Councillor Peter Naude, Ugu Municipal Manager DD Naidoo and his top technical officials this week.

Cllr Naude explained that it would take three weeks for Ugu to fix the problem as they have to re-route 500m of the pipe starting at the entrance to Masenenge.

“Residents can expect three weeks of intermittent water supply,” he added.

“In the meantime, we can expect sporadic breaks in the existing pipe which they will repair as and when this happens, resulting in disruption of water supply. This is the only long-term solution possible,” he said.

Cllr Naude confirmed that an additional water tanker would be placed in Mitchell Road and the others would be filled regularly.

He said that the western side of Uvongo and parts of Manaba had been affected.

“During the course of the weekend, reconfiguration of the network enabled certain areas to get water at a low pressure. High-lying areas that had received no water were Alamein Avenue, Tucker Avenue, Devon Place and Mitchell Road in Manaba,” he said.

France Zama, Ugu District Municipality’s spokesman, said the water network in Uvongo experienced major damage on the eve of the Easter weekend.

The municipality wishes to extend its humble apologies to communities and visitors affected by this unprecedented water interruption.

“Our team of dedicated technicians has since been on site in an effort to repair the damage which has proved to be more serious than ever anticipated,” he said.

In the meantime, Mr Zama said the municipality had provided clean water through tankers located in the affected areas.

Wessel Pretorius, chairman of AfriForum, Margate, said this was the result of no maintenance.

“The management of Ugu needs to plan ahead and communicate with its customers. We want to see their plan of action so this doesn’t happen in the future… it is time Ugu got its act together,” he said.

Mr Pretorius said this was affecting everyone, including the residents of Masinenge informal settlement. He also called on the tanks to be filled on a regular basis, as water is a basic right for humans.

Communities are also urged to assist the municipality curb prolonged water supply interruptions by reporting burst pipes and leaks to the ward councillor or to contact the municipality directly at 08000 WATER (92837) or (039) 688 5830/36 or SMS 44751.