THIS week’s major water outage saw some 2,000 Doonside and surrounding households left high and dry after a 375mm supply pipe ruptured outside the Umgeni Water works in neighbouring ward 109’s Bhekulwandle.
When the pipe burst on Sunday, 3 March the pressure demolished part of a structure which had been built across what should be a water servitude. While the burst pipe was repaired in the early hours of Tuesday, 5 March, most residents remained without water for most of the day as the system filled slower than expected.
“After the repair the valves were opened to allow water into the system. The entire network, including the School Road reservoir, was completely depleted,” said ward 97’s Cllr Andre Beetge, who was lauded for his continuous updates.
Read the updates as the story unfolded:
Burst pipe causes water outage in Doonside
Update: Doonside water outage: Dwelling set for demolition to reach burst water main
Update: Water shortage continues for some in Doonside
“The gravity feed system took several hours to fill with water first going to the lowest areas near the coast and then only to pressure relieve valves (PRV) before backing up into the reservoir with an operating level of 1.5m, at which time the pressure would be sufficient to force the PRV valves open to full capacity and let water through, in turn affecting the reservoir level.”
Cllr Beetge’s updates on social media platforms, intended to keep residents informed so they could adapt their usage, saw several participants instead start posing questions about the legality of the building, its location and services.
Cllr Beetge explained the intricate difference between what is municipal land, Ingonyama Trust land and municipal reach across trust land, as the issue at hand was municipal-owned infrastructure situated on traditional land.
The Ingonyama Trust is a corporate entity which administers land traditionally owned by the Zulu people, represented by their king, for the benefit, material welfare and social well-being of the Zulu nation who continue to occupy the land as they have historically done.
It comprises 29.67% (28,000-km2) of KZN’s land, divided into regions under traditional leadership known as Amakosi.
“The situation with these areas, which do not belong to municipalities but are pocketed within their borders, remains a constant concern. While regulations regarding building or town planning should apply, the situation makes it near impossible to enforce the same on land that essentially doesn’t belong to the municipality.
These properties are not subject to municipal rates, but as they are demographically located within the borders of the municipality and because those who occupy them are essentially residents of the municipality, eThekwini is responsible for infrastructure maintenance on land it does not own. Dwellings valued below the threshold thus receive free municipal services, while those valued above the threshold are exempt from municipal rates but charged for municipal services rendered.”
Cllr Beetge said that while the trust itself was, until 2006, exempt from rates to the city, it currently owes eThekwini R161,136,973 (which totals 34% of the outstanding debt owing to the city over 90 days).
“The matter remains outstanding against the Ex Co agenda and is pending a council decision on legal review after collapse of inter-departmental negotiations.
With regards to the local matter, the dwelling was built over infrastructure initially installed by Umgeni Water which was transferred to eThekwini for ownership and maintenance. This transfer apparently took place without the Inkosi being made aware that a water servitude exists, which could’ve deterred him from extending Permission to Occupy (PTO) to the occupant who, under the same ignorance, built across the pipe, thus endangering the occupants and structure itself.”
An electrical cord which was notable in photos, running down to the house’s roof drew speculation about an ‘illegal’ connection, however the dwelling was fitted with a prepaid meter to support its lights and fridges.
Cllr Beetge said a considerable delay arose as a result of traditional leaders and the occupant requesting compensation, based on their claiming ignorance about the existence of the line.
No fines were issued and the while the water supply was restored, the matter of the municipality having acted or failed to act and whether resulting compensation is due or not, remains a point of discussion to resolve.
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