Lack of water angers South Coast residents

Earlier this year, Ugu District Municipality Mayor, Sikhumbuzo Mqadi, announced 14 water and sanitation projects to be implemented for the 2023/24 financial years through an approved R1b adjustment budget.

Mqadi said they intend to implement these projects across the district to provide much-needed relief to residents.

Although the much needed water pipeline replacement programme has started, there has been many complaints from residents regarding the workmanship, and the urgency of supplying water to households and businesses.

Areas that have had pipeline replacements include Uvongo, Shelly Beach, Oslo Beach, Marburg and Umbango. However, some of these areas have had endless problems to get water restored, leaving residents angry.

Many residents have told the Herald today (Thursday) they are unhappy with the workmanship of certain contractors.

“Some of these contractors don’t have a clue what’s happening on the ground. To have an entire area without water for more than 24 hours is ridiculous.  Some areas have been without water for weeks. Does Ugu check on the workmanship of these contractors?” asked one resident.

“Luckily it is school holidays. This is affecting everyone from residents to businesses, ” said another irate resident.

Today (Thursday), the Ugu Complaints Facebook Page has seen South Coasters vent their frustration.  Southbroom has been without water for five weeks; Margate, Merlewood, Marburg, Albersville, Umtentweni and Mtwalume have not had had water for the last three days.

Residents are not receiving any feedback from Ugu and are desperate. They claim that they have not seen any water tankers supplying the affected areas.

Yesterday (June 26) Ugu provided an update: Area South Central

Reservoir updates: Marburg to Ramsgate

•   Boboyi plant A 23% B 35%. dropping – Feeding from the dam, mechanical fault in one of the pumps at St Helen’s Rock – allocated to fitter.
•   Marburg Reservoir – 90% – outlet opened supplying Marburg, Merlewood and Oslo Beach.
•   Esperanza – 91% dropping – inlet and outlet opened.
•   Masinenge – 45% dropping – allocated to area forearm.
•  Gamalakhe Sport and Leisure pump on, reservoir 81%, tower 79%, dropping
•  Izotsha Reservoir – 89% climbing
•  Shelly Beach – 66% dropping.
•  Uvongo Reservoir – 41% new climbing – 6% old, dropping, allocated to fitter to attend.
•  Seaslopes Reservoir – 88% holding tanker, 26% dropping.
•  Kaisers Reservoir – 73% climbing, supplying Nositha
• Nositha – 26%, climbing.
• Margate 9A – 65%, climbing.
• Margate 2A – 76%, climbing.
• Ramsgate north 31%, and Ramsgate South 5% dropping, reported to area foreman.
• Burst pipe on the road ,Shelly Beach Reservoir – Ugu operating team to attend.
• Burst pipe Marburg, Torwood – Ugu operating team to attend.
• Burst pipe Marburg, Hillview – Ugu operating team to attend.

Reservoir updates: Mkholombe/Bobhoyi/Murchison/Umzumbe

•     Murchison Hospital Reservoir – 96% climbing, inlet and outlet opened.
•     Murchison 4 – 87%, dropping.
•     Murchison 2 – 100%, overflowing reported to area foreman, inlet and outlet opened
•     Murchison 3 – 11%, climbing.
•     KwaHlongwa reservoir – 5.5%, outlet is opened to Mthombeni area. Mabuthela Reservoir is full.
•     Madlala pump is pumping to KwaNtiwa

Burst pipe between Baphumile and Ixobho. Ugu team to attend as an excavator is needed.

Reservoir updates: Port Shepstone to Hibberdene

• Mzimkhulu Reservoir – 42%, dropping due to low level at the plant.
• 12A old – 75% new – 80% – tower 3%. Electrician to attend – fill 12A tower.
•  North Shepstone – 24%, climbing due to low level at the plant.
•  Anerley – 63%, dropping.
• Lower Woodgrange – 68%, climbing.
• Upper Woodgrange – 0%, empty.
• Stick Farm Reservoir – 0%, empty.

Further information on the timeframe for the completion of the pipeline replacement programme was not received, nor when water will be restored.

An update will be provided, once received.

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