Water challenges in Standerton do not bode well for the future.
Ms Marietjie Nel, who lives in Coligny Street, said on Wednesday that their 2500 litre tank stays only three-quarters full the whole time.
She has intermittent supply and sometimes the water flows strongly, other times it trickles.
The on-off situation was confirmed by a resident in Charl Cilliers Street.
Another resident in Caledon Street, who wished to stay anonymous, said that he has been without water for four days.
A trustworthy source indicated the past week that Ward 10’s challenges, although addressed, could be continuing.
According to the source, a pump was procured and fitted, but leakages in old, asbestos pipes, are the root of the problem.
It was mentioned that load-shedding, introduced by Eskom on February 3, contributed to water supply interruptions since an air vacuum built up in the pipes, causing the joints to rip apart.
A suggestion was made for a timer switch to be installed for the three pumps to ease the pressure in the pipes.
“It should be done gradually,” the source said.
Lekwa’s communications department notified the community on February 3, that a pipe burst at the Round Pumping Unit next to the Waterfront.
Water supply to wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 15 was affected.
Water was available at Laerskool Kalie de Haas and at the Guest House till 15:00.
A repeat performance of the burst pipe followed on February 8.
The Standerton Advertiser has spoken to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in the past.
According to the latest information, the HRC will be doing on-site inspections of municipalities in the Gert Sibande District this week. Standerton is on their time-table.
A press statement from the HRC was received on Friday, February 11, confirming that teams will be in Standerton on Thursday, February 17.
The areas that will be visited include the town, Sakhile, Sivukile, Morgenzon, Thuthukani and Tutuka.
According to them, an enquiry into service delivery was lodged after complaints were received from the community.
Water supply was mentioned as one of the pressing issues.
The Standerton Advertiser made an attempt on Wednesday, February 9 to get information from the councillor for Ward 10, Ms Wilma Venter, who said she is not allowed to give official comment.
Ms Venter referred the newspaper to a Lekwa-employee, whose mailbox was full and no message could be left.
A WhatsApp-message for an update on the water situation was subsequently sent to the communications manager of the Lekwa Municipality, Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, the same day at 11:09.
No feedback was received at the time of going to press.
