Costly water wastage in Ilembe
"There is a need to improve our internal systems such as billing in order to report accurate water balances"
Illegal water connections and leaks have caused a water loss of 7.78 million kiloliters, costing the Ilembe municipality about R75 million.
This was revealed in the Ilembe municipality 2015/2016 oversight report.
While the district still bares the brunt of the past year’s drought, some residents are left with dry taps for hours and even days while 45 per cent of the Ilembe water supply is wasted.
This amount goes eight per cent over the allowed national threshold for water loss. DA caucus leader Madhun Sing said illegal connections and main leaks contribute to 79 per cent of water distribution losses.
“Illegal water connections contribute to 30 per cent of water loss while leaks contribute to 49 per cent.
“Residents who live in areas like Stanger are constantly having their water cut to “save water” yet almost half of the municipality’s water supply is wasted.”
Water distribution contributes about R644 million of revenue to Ilembe municipality. The municipality landed itself in hot water last year which saw them almost approaching bankruptcy due to being unprepared for the drought. The hiring of 14 private water tankers last year cost the municipality R82 million and saw them digging into their reserves.
Sing said the DA in the Ilembe region suggested that a crack team needed to be set up to deal with illegal connections and monitor meter readings.
“We need to build a capacity to deal with such huge losses.
“A dedicated team spread across the district at regional level could possibly turn around our fortunes which could see revenue income instead of loss. We need to monitor all households regardless of status, with poor communities there are policies that are in place for relief.
“This policy must be reviewed annually with regular internal audits sifting the deserving and removing applicants who cheat the system.”
Responding on the oversight report, Ilembe management said the municipality’s plan to address water losses is currently being implemented.
“The municipality purely relies on grant funding, and the water losses programme is not implemented as ‘fast’ as one would like due to funding constraints.
“There is a need to improve our internal systems such as billing in order to report accurate water balances, and this is being addressed.
“A crack team for illegal connections is a good suggestion but will need to be budgeted for, and this should be coupled with community awareness programs.”
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