‘Why are we the only ones?’, ask water-restricted eMdloti residents

FED UP with water restrictions, eMdloti residents want to know why they are the only ones on the receiving end of more than seven months of water restrictions. The residents, who have banded together, are asking why the neighbouring communities of Verulam, Westbrook, Waterloo and La Mercy, also fed by Hazelmere Dam, have not been as severely affected.

They met yesterday to voice their discontent with the continuing water restrictions being implemented throughout the coastal village. On average, residents say they only have access to running water six hours a day.

The most common grievances expressed by the community revolve around the lack of communication and consistency in terms of the restrictions.

“Some people have not received any notification with regards to a schedule. Unofficially we have heard that the water would be cut off from 9am to 4pm, but sometimes you wake up at 6am and there is no water,” said 2nd Avenue resident, Monique Broughton. “If they gave us a schedule and stuck to it we could at least work around it,” added the frustrated resident.

Residents say they feel aggrieved that theirs is the only community in the area being subjected to restrictions. “Verulam, Westbrook, Waterloo as well as La Mercy are also fed my Hazelmere Dam. Why aren’t they being subjected to any restrictions?” asked Alexandra Middelhoven of 1st Avenue.

Roger Downes, a Jabu Ngcobo (M27) resident, said the restrictions have cost home owners and businesses thousands of Rands as taps have often been accidentally left open during the unexpected restrictions, leading to flooding.

Downes said he believed more water has actually been lost with the current restriction system than has actually been saved.