Rumour mill hard at work over water issue

While Umzinyathi has still not told the public why the water is smelly or why water cuts continue despite good rains in recent weeks – and a healthy flowing Buffalo River – the rumour mill has been hard at work.

Rumour one:  a valve at the pump station near Tayside was turned open too quickly causing the force of the water to rupture an elbow joint in the Buffalo River pipeline that feeds the reservoir.  Workers from Pietermaritzburg or Durban had to be rushed up here to carry out urgent repairs.

However, the sediment that seeped into the water has caused unpleasant smell/taste.

Rumour two:  a pump was stolen hence the water cuts.

Rumour three:   there is simply not enough water to supply the area.   Long term plans include a pipeline to feed the reservoir from Chelmsford dam.

Rumour four:  the brain drain has meant that there are not enough skilled technicians locally to fix the problem.

Whatever the truth, bottlers of prepared water are smiling.

Meantime, the Buffalo River is looking fairly healthy this week – check out this video taken from De Jagersdrift.

Readers vent their feelings:

Delmarie Kriel-Nel‎;

We want answers about the water! Its brown, smells disgusting!! I am not paying a water account for water that looks, smells and tastes like this. Its time for Umzinyathi to give answers!!! And its not because of drought there is other problems. We want to know what’s going on!!!!
Ronald Caldecott‎:

Can anyone tell us why the water tastes and smells like mud. Or am I asking for a miracle