Sir
I have noticed with interest over the last few weeks, articles in the Courier newspaper regarding new house building in the Endumeni district.
It seems that there are many hundreds of RDP houses being constructed, with the majority completed, or under construction, in and around the Sibongile area.
Though I am sure that there is an urgent need for this housing, I have concerns about the infrastructure that is necessary to support these houses and in particular the provision of water.
I clearly recall about five years ago that Uthukela Water, who at that time managed the water and sewerage facilities to our area, placed a moratorium on all new housing building.
This was because they maintained that the supply of water to Endumeni was already up to maximum capacity and that it was not possible to support any more demands until such time as significant upgrading work was carried out.
If this has now been done, please advertise the fact. It is however my understanding that rather than improving, the local water supply situation has in fact deteriorated since then.
Despite this situation extensive housing construction charges on regardless! What has changed?
I am aware that there is a national water shortage but due to an apparent combination of poor management and ‘unforeseen’ circumstances, we, Endumeni District, were months ahead of the rest of the country having to live with water restrictions.
Therefore blaming climactic conditions exclusively for our water predicament would be disingenuous.
Our local problems clearly run much deeper. New housing yes, but it would be simple common sense to provide the necessary infrastructure first, thus ensuring that the whole system avoids collapse. Or are we, Endumeni residents, going to have to live with water restrictions, or worse, indefinitely?
Norman Parkinson
