Ilembe in hot water

Stanger residents have endured their second dry weekend of 2014 – and they have had enough. Water supply became irregular towards the end of December last year and left several areas without water on New Year’s Day. Last weekend saw taps drying up in Stanger Manor, High Ridge, Stanger Heights, Ocean View, Gledhow and Palm Lakes. This is allegedly due to a pipe break between Avondale reservoir in Ballito and the Hazelmere bifurcation line. In an email from an Ilembe official to Palm Lakes Estate states the break is towards Zimbali just before Ballito and was causing water loss in the region of a million litres per day. As a result the Honolulu reservoir, which subsequently feeds Groutville and Palm Lakes, was throttled. Residents are peeved at the lack of assistance from the Ilembe district municipality throughout the crisis, with the emergency line either going unanswered or being attended by staff who could not provide answers. Businesses were badly affected, with many salons being forced to close and doctors’ surgeries dealing with angry patients after shortages caused numerous delays. Stanger Heights’ resident Yvonne Isramah had a problem with the lack of helpful response from the emergency number. “The control room does not know anything when you eventually get through. They say no senior management is available and promise to call back, but do not. One of the guys we spoke to was rude and arrogant and hung up on us.” Vimmi Moodley said Stanger Manor’s water supply has been irregular since January 1. “It seems like Ilembe turns the taps on during the night and closes them before we get up the next morning. Do we have to sleep during the day and stay awake at night? I hope this is not some kind of prophecy for the coming year.” Claudette Govender said her three-week holiday was unbearable due to the disrupted water supply. “It has been an absolute inconvenience and discomfort to me and my family. It is unacceptable since I pay on time, so I expect a proper water supply.” Tinley Manor’s Palm Lakes Estate residents have also been disappointed with the response from Ilembe to their erratic water supply. The Ilembe district communications department promised to respond to the Courier’s request for an explanation last week, as they were unsure if the responsible officials had returned from leave. There had been no response at the time of going to press.