Water leaks and the dam is running dry

Throughout the past few months we have literally seen Witbank Dam’s level dropping by the minute.
The dam level is currently decreasing by 0.5% weekly and if the rain stays away until December the predictions is that the dam level may go as low as 38%.

On July 15 Mr Theo van Vuuren, municipal manager said they are keeping a close watch on the level because as soon as it drops below 42% water restrictions will have to be implemented.

However more and more residents are reporting water leaks that are left unattended for days.
Van Vuuren admitted that despite the progress that has been made to secure bulk resources and improve capacity, one of the biggest problems the municipality still face is the constant water spillages, mainly as a result of the huge number of pipe bursts and in cases where water meters are stolen.

On some days the water teams are faced with up to 12 pipe bursts.

“The capacity of our teams to attend to this number of problems is under pressure and this often leads to delays in restoring leaks and bursts,” Van Vuuren explained.

A concerned resident Mr Clive Hatch highlighted the fact that there are a few leaks that is receiving no attention.
A leak in Frieda Street in Del Judor Proper was reported in March 2015. Although it is a small leak, every drop is valuable and leaking for more than a year could possibly be accumulated to litres.

On June 9 a leak outside Highveld Tyres situated at 11 Industrial Crescent in Klipfontein have been reported. Outside the Nissan Dealership in Nita Street in Del Judor 4 a leak was also reported in June.

So was another leak reported in Nita Street, one in Francis Street and one in front of 122 Woltemade Street.

“The residents at 3 Annette Street reported a leak Monday, July 11 and have been told that it cannot be fixed because there is no diesel for the vehicles,” Hatch said.

The same excuse was used when leaks were reported in Steenkamp Street and outside Kirstenhof in Steve Bantu Biko Street.

“I find it incredible that Mr Van Vuuren issues a notice of the low water level at the Witbank Dam and the possible intensification of water restriction but by still his administration is letting thousands of litres of water run down the streets of eMalahleni,” Hatch said.

Van Vuuren trying to save the last few drops said,

“Yes there are many pipe leaks and bursts and we are challenged from time to time to address all these as quick as we would like. The municipality is aware of this and is trying to improve on its reaction times within the limitation of resources. However, please this must not be used as it is currently by some, as to justify them to waste water.”

While water leaks are a serious problem that has to be tackled at municipal level, there are so many small adjustments households could make that would cumulatively make a big difference.

READ ALSO:
Water restrictions enforced in eMalahleni
We have water for a year