Umtamvuna Views: Continued water woes raises a stink
The area is in crisis and the powers that be seem unable or unprepared to offer support.
WATER problems continue unabated – with empty promises of repairs and restored service from Ugu District Municipality. Sadly most households have been deprived of this essential commodity for weeks on end.
The advertised schedule is never accurate, so businesses and homeowners who try to plan accordingly are left high and dry. Businesses are suffering badly, particularly the hospitality sector. Ugu just does not seem to care and yet their accounts department seems to be pretty efficient -with residents expected to pay for services never provided.
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Another aspect is the ongoing damage to household appliances that cannot work effectively without sufficient water pressure. People are having to foot the bill to purchase water, drive to collect water and suffer undue physical stress in hauling buckets and bottles.
Eskom accounts are sky-high due to households having to use pumps to access tank water when the Ugu supply is off. So much has been said over the past four months and yet nothing concrete has been achieved at all.
Umbearable smell
One resident who lives near Splash Rock reported that there is an open sewerage manhole that has been overflowing with raw sewage for weeks. More than a month ago the pump servicing that particular area broke down and was taken away for repair.
Thereafter Ugu sent a honey-sucker a few times over a week to remove the muck, but that stopped too. And the raw sewage now flows freely over the grassy verge directly into the sea.
Apart from this being a serious health hazard, residents and visitors to the area are appalled by the strong stink of sewage pervading the sea air for weeks.
Jannie Murdock, who lives nearby, reported this situation three weeks ago, but is fed up with the lack of interest or action shown by Ugu municipality.
He says “The stench has become unbearable. It is, to my mind, no longer a municipal by-law breach, but a criminal case!”
Port Edward residents are angry and despondent. On top of no water, overflowing sewage, poor garbage collection service and a disgusting recycling area, Ward One Councillor Dorica Mthuli has never been seen or heard from by most residents since being elected. The area is in crisis and the powers that be seem unable or unprepared to offer support.
Mention must be made of the local ratepayers’ associations, who are trying their best to solve problems and relay information to correct departments. They work tirelessly, which is greatly appreciated by all.
Quiz fun
For many years, the Margate Bowling Club has hosted a monthly fund-raising quiz at the clubhouse. Last week about ten teams of four gathered to pit their wits and attempt to win the cash prize and honour of being the ‘best of the best’.
Every month the catering women provide a delicious meal and a fun evening is enjoyed by all. There is a cash bar available and everyone is welcome. For further information contact club treasurer Yvonne Bausek at 083 6021712.
All news to Philippa.
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