More than 300 people in an estimated 159 households at Lily informal settlement in Meadowlands will have access to more water supply as the settlement will undergo a month-long water project this May.
The project by Johannesburg Water will install water pipes in the settlement to enable residents to access water easily.
Residents have been sharing one tap and seven toilets for several years and the demand of water and waste management systems outnumber the supply.
Community Liaison Officer (CLO) Marble Tshishonge said the project gives residents hope that their living conditions will change.
“This project will also help with the unemployment in this community as the project aims to employ 10 more residents for labour,” said Tshishonge who has been living in the informal settlement for more than five years.
“We used to pay R180 for rent when we first moved here but now we only pay R20 monthly to use the communal toilets.” she added.
Councillor Sphiwe Mbongo said the project is the first step taken to improve living conditions of residents.
“We aim to provide toilets after the completion of the current project. We’re still in talks with service providers and local government.” he said.
