IN 2004 the eThekwini Municipality began a groundbreaking programme to provide communal water and sanitation facilities to various informal settlements around the city. The Communal Ablution Blocks (CABs), which are modified shipping containers, are fitted with two showers, two flush toilets, two hand basins and a small locked storeroom for cleaning supplies.
However in recent years, the ablution blocks have fallen into disrepair at the various settlements, due to the lack of maintenance and servicing by the City.
One of those worst affected is Briardene Informal Settlement which has four CABs, all in need of dire repair.
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Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, recently met with members of the City’s Water and Sanitation department to discuss the problems faced by the residents.
“The current condition of the ablution facilities is of major concern. There is a dire need for the blocks to be serviced as there are some basic maintenance issues requiring attention such as broken doors and leaking pipes. These problems have arisen due to a number of factors including the increase in number of people that have made these settlements their homes and thus the designated capacity of the facilities have come under strain,” Ryley explained.
He added the problems have been noted and the ward 36 committee member for electricity, water and sanitation has raised these with the manager responsible for the units in Briardene.
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