EMFULENI. – The Emfuleni Local Municipality(ELM) Acting Manager for Communications Stanley Gaba has pleaded with those rate payers that can afford to pay for services to do so urgently, starting from today.
The reason for the plea is the challenge the municipality faces of providing quality clean water, and removal of waste in all areas of Emfuleni. Gaba states that continued non-payment from residents has affected the municipality’s ability to further render basic services to the communities.
Gaba says, “The municipality can no longer afford to render services without receiving any payment.
“Many of the main water pipelines have broken down due to the age and lack of proper maintenance over a long period. The municipality has been unable to effectively maintain these water lines as the result of lack of funds and resources.”
Gaba states that over a period of a month, the municipality has had to cope with, between 3 to 5 major shut downs of our lines to do repairs to other water leaks repairs for one thing or another.
“To compound the matter, Rand Water has further reduced its water pressures by 20% which has adversely affected the high lying areas such as Sebokeng, Evaton North, Lakeside, Palm-springs and Evaton North.
“The current payment level of services stands as low as 18% which adversely affects rendering of basic services by the municipality.Currently some areas are without water or water pressures are low.”
According to Gaba, the municipality has since sent out five (5) water tankers to areas that strained by the situation.
“Furthermore, all of our areas are affected by the non-collection of waste. The number of complaints from residents has increased. This is also the result of non-availability of waste trucks because many of them have been sent in for repairs and maintenance. The problem has also increased the scourge of illegal dumping.” Gaba concludes, adding that waste removal backlog has been reduced drastically.
