WHILE officials at the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction meeting in Durban debated global crises, residents of Athlone Park and Isipingo were already enduring a full week without a drop of water, long before the planned April 8 shutdown was even postponed.

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The two-day shutdown was for uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) to replace 1 200mm diameter seals and check meters on the Wiggins Water Treatment Works gravity bulk pipeline.

As the shutdown coincided with the G20 meeting, there were fears that leaving delegates from other countries without water would paint a bad picture for the city and the country. This prompted the Department of Water and Sanitation minister, Pemmy Majodina, to write to uMngeni-uThukela Water, instructing the entity to postpone the planned shutdown.

Jolene Booth of Athlone Park said water shortages in the suburb are not new and have progressively become worse.

“There are so many times we have to rely on water tankers, and it looks like that might never end. There are water problems all over, but ours seems to be worse than everyone’s,” said Booth.

Councillor André Beetge said water started entering the Athlone Park reservoir for the first time in eight days on April 11. He said he had not been able to get a confirmation from the municipality whether that supply would be consistent. He also said communication from the municipality regarding water problems leaves a lot to be desired.

“An informed public is a tolerant public. At least if you tell the people you are going to be without water for this period, they don’t sit and wait wondering, ‘Is water going to be available today or tomorrow?’ That makes people uncertain and angry,” said Beetge.

In Isipingo Rail and Isipingo Beach, the supply was cut off for more than a week until some of it was restored on April 12.
Ward 90 councillor Shad Nowbuth said it was restored to most customers in Isipingo Beach, except those who get their supply directly from the Hillside Road Reservoir.

“The capacity of the reservoir is insufficient to supply the remaining customers, including those property owners in the higher areas,” said Nowbuth.

In the meantime, the affected residents are supplied by water tankers.

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