THE ongoing water cut-offs in Sarnia, due to burst pipes has taken its toll on the affected residents who are demanding a permanent solution to this problem.
What frustrates the residents even further is that the simple request for a tanker to come and alleviate the situation, is problematic.
Glen Park Neighbourhood Watch PR, Sharman Collins, said she has more than 100 complaint reference numbers received in a space of just more than a month.
“There have been 20 to 30 burst pipes. We are suffering as residents and what makes the matter worse is that there is a primary school, a pre-primary school and two old age homes in this area.”
Collins said sometimes they go for three days without water. “We are lucky if the water is restored for the whole day as most of the time, this nightmare starts all over again just after an hour.
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“We have been forced to use our pool water; how are people without pools coping? When a tanker does come out, it only goes to one street and the rest of us have to fend for ourselves,” said a frustrated Collins.
The Glen Park resident who has lived in that area for close to 40 years said she believes the old asbestos pipes are the source of this problem.
“This is the old infrastructure which has not been maintained for many years. Contractors come here and patch a small part which does not help as the next day, the pipe bursts in another part of the road.
“Instead of patching these pipes, why are they not replacing the whole pipe, why can they not do something permanent? How much is it costing us, the ratepayers? We pay for service delivery every month and nothing gets done,” she said.
According to Collins’ calculations, the average amount from 450 households of R600 each, totals more than R3 million a year.
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“Where is this money going? What exactly are we paying for if residents, school children and old people have to suffer like this?” she asked.
Ward 18 councillor, Melanie Brauteseth said she has been bombarded, with complaints regarding this issue.
“I have escalated this matter to the highest level and I have asked for the officials to come and speak to the public so that they can answer all the questions as the residents are tired of living like this.
“In the meantime, I ask for the residents to try and stock up whenever the water is restored. I have been asking the officials to provide me with answers and a solution,” said Brauteseth.
Birches’ principal, Scilla Edmonds, said while they are a Water Explorer Eco-School with tanks to back up a supply to flush toilets and wash hands, this is the dry period and their water is limited.
“Hygiene and safety are most important when dealing with children and carrying buckets to fill cisterns has been really time-consuming and stressful.
“Everyone must be committed to conserving resources especially one as precious as water.”
She said their biggest concern is the wastage of clean drinking water that is continually running down the road.
“Continuous breakages indicate lack of maintenance. From the children’s point of view this is a problem for ‘big people and clever people’ to solve. Expectations from the younger generation is high. Please eThekwini, this issue is exceedingly important,” said Edmonds.
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