BROWN water flowing out of taps in Empangeni last week baffled and upset Empangeni residents, who deemed it unfit for human consumption or even for bathing.
The problem apparently happened during the process of adding a new water supply to the existing Nsezi water main to accommodate the new development taking place on the John Ross Parkway near the N2 bridge.
Contaminated water was able to enter the system which was then pumped into Empangeni suburbs.
Residents using social media expressed their concerns and reported not only dirty water but a complete lack of water on Thursday morning in certain areas:
‘Last night, bout 8pm.Thank goodness supper was over and kettle filled for coffee for next morning!! Live in Durnford Road. The water is slowly clearing up..’ Tina Scott van der Merwe
‘Yes, in Mack Street in Empangeni. Brown water – my poor animals!’ Carol Borcher
‘Grantham Park with muddy water. Police Station without water most of the day for the past 2 – 3 weeks ‘ Pieter Weideman
‘Morning. .there wasn’t any at 7 30 when I got to work in the rail. But came back on around 8” Wesley Green
‘We have brown, sandy water. Cactus drive, Grantham Park area.’ Elria Pretorius
It was reported that the municipality, after realising what had happened, was scouring the pipes and that the problem would slowly dissipate.
By Friday morning most of the taps in Empangeni were producing clean water again and the problem seems to have been solved.
