Residents queue for water amid dry taps in Bophelong during scorching weekend
“We devised a plan with my neighbours. We drew a plan and took turns for each household to get water. Today (Sunday) is my family's turn to go get water for my house and two other neighbours,” said Nkosazana Zuma.
BOPHELONG – The boiling heatwave gripping the region has taken a toll on the residents of Bophelong and Vanderbijlpark, who have been left without a drop of water from their taps.
As temperatures soared this weekend, residents endured long queues under the scorching sun just to secure the most basic necessities of life – water.
While Emfuleni Local Municipality warned residents about the shortage on Friday, it turned out to be a busy weekend for the residents.
This is after the Metsi-a-Lekoa Water Demand Management team jointly with Rand Water said they will be repairing a leaking 1075 mm reinforced concrete pipeline that supplies Vanderbijlpark reservoirs.
The team will also work on the replacement of valves for future reliability of the water supply system.
Long lines of people carrying buckets, jerrycans, and containers of all shapes and sizes snaked through the streets, winding their way to the nearest water trucks.
Many residents, including the elderly and young children, had no choice but to endure the oppressive heat as they waited hours for their turn to fill their containers.
The sun’s unrelenting rays only added to their discomfort, as some residents sought shade under makeshift shelters while others shared umbrellas to shield themselves from the scorching heat.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Nolwazi Mfeka (44) said “We have no choice but to come out of our homes and get water. We use this water for all sorts of home needs. From bathing, cooking, washing and some people water their vege gardens.”
“We are grateful that there are a couple of water tankers supplied to our area,” she said.
Nkosazana Zuma (62) said the blazing sun couldn’t stop them from going to the tanks.
“We devised a plan with my neighbours. We drew a plan and took turns for each household to get water. Today (Sunday) is my family’s turn to go get water for my house and two other neighbours,” said the woman with visible sweat on his face.
ELM spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni said a total of 20 trucks were dispatched and the municipality worked tirelessly to meet the demand to all communities.
“We dispatched twenty water tankers at a different scheduled time so there won’t be a need and desperation. ”
