Washing your hands repeatedly using soap and water is essential to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
This pandemic has turned the world on its head and here in the City of Coal washing your hands has become impossible because there was no water to wash your hands with.
There was not a single day from March 15 when a water outage notice was not posted on Emalahleni Local Municipality’s Facebook.
On March 15 water supply to Model Park was affected due to a pipe break and repairs were completed.
Unfortunately, there were additional cracks and further repairs were done.
On the same day, there was no water in Highveld Park because of two pipe breaks and in Anna Scheepers Street because of a pipe leak.
The water supply to Klarinet extensions, Pine Ridge, Old Coronation, Paxton Correctional Services, a portion of Thushanang and KwaGuqa new extensions also did not have a drop due to low reservoir levels.
Residents in Model Park grew angrier by the second because the following morning on March 16 the pipe break was still blamed for their water outage.
On March 17 Del Judor Ext 1 followed suit because of a pipe break in their area.
The contractor working on completing interconnections on the pipelines had residents fuming in Highveld Park and Model Park on March 18 because their taps left nothing but empty promises.
While in Tasbet Park Ext 2 low reservoir levels were to blame again.
A very dry week winked at residents as Model Park, Die Heuwel, Blancheville, Highveld Park, Jackaroo Park, Clearwater Estate, Riverview and Seekoeiwater also had no water on March 18. This was due to a pipe break.
The situation did not improve on Thursday, March 19.
The water supply to Fransville and Del Judor Proper were affected due to a damaged link line and the system had been isolated.
At the same time, the water supply to Transalloys and Clewer was affected due to the theft of metal couplings on the bulk supply line.
Again low reservoir levels came into play as the water supply to Tasbet Park extensions is affected due to low reservoir levels at Point C ground reservoir.
On Friday, March 20 the pipe feeding Model Park, Highveld Park, Jackaroo Park, Die Heuwel extensions, Blancheville, Riverview and Seekoeiwater broke again and the areas had nothing but more promising emptiness in their taps. Del Judor Ext 1 and Ext 5, 8, 10, 12 and 16 added to the list of very unhappy residents.
“The water supply to areas supplied from Point D reservoir is still affected due to pipe breaks and repairs are underway. The water supply to Extension 16 has been isolated due to a pipe break. The water supply to all areas supplied from Point B high reservoir has been isolated due to a pipe break in Witbank Ext 5. As additional feedback is received an update will be provided,” was the only response from the municipality’s communications unit.
The week’s water obstacles ended on Sunday, March 22 when the water supply to Model Park, Highveld Park, Jackaroo Park, Die Heuwel extensions
Blancheville, Riverview, and Seekoeiwater had been isolated from Point D command reservoir due to a pipe break in Model Park.
A pipe break caused more room for an already heated debate on Facebook in Del Judor Extensions 2 and 5 as residents showed their annoyance in social media posts.
“When is the municipality going to wake up and realise something drastic has to be done. The municipal water network has collapsed,” Mr John Cornish said after returning from the shops with more bottled water he had to buy.
Mr Tienie Welgemoed, a resident who also feels the brunt of the water outages asked why private contractors can not be assigned to fix the water problems once and for all.
He said 80% of the water distribution losses can be restrained if a reliable contractor is assigned to fix water leaks.
“Yes, the municipality is technically bankrupt but funds were made available by the national government to help in a water crisis like the one we are experiencing. We are urged to wash our hands over and over again to help the fight against COVID-19, but in eMalahleni this is impossible. This municipality is failing us and something drastically needs to be done,” Welgemoed said.
The only feedback given by the municipality was received on March 2.
Municipal spokesperson, Mr Lebo Mofokeng said the municipality’s water supply does not balance due to a higher demand that can not meet supply.
“We have engaged the Department of Water and Sanitation on possibilities of increasing water use license and assist with funding on addressing water leakages thus reducing water distribution losses.”
Mofokeng said pipe breaks are as a result of ageing infrastructure especially on main bulk lines, asbestos cement pipes, and a lack as well as inadequate water pressure management equipment.
“On World Water Day on Sunday, March 22 we were reminded that water is essential to meet human, industrial and ecosystem needs and most importantly vital in the fight against COVID-19. But it is impossible to wash your hands frequently with soap and water if there is no water,” Cornish added.
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