UPDATE: Vandalism a reason for no water
In an attempt to solve the vandalism issue on the main Mtubatuba water pipeline, the St Lucia Ratepayers Association bought equipment to fit nine taps at the scour valves.
RESIDENTS of the greater Mtubatuba area have, for three weeks, had no running water in which to shower, wash dishes or clothes.
While thousands are affected, the sheer wastage caused by vandalism of scour valves along the main pipeline through Dukuduku is causing tensions to rise.
Scour valves are located at low points, or between valved sections, along water pipelines. The function of these valves is to allow periodic flushing of the pipeline, to remove sediment and allow the line to be drained for maintenance and repairs.
Scour valves along the main pipeline, which begins in Mtubatuba and ends in St Lucia, are frequently damaged in residents’ desperate attempt to get water.
While this solves some people’s problems in the short term, others further down the pipeline suffer the consequences, and everybody suffers the long-term effects of this wastage.
In an attempt to prevent further damage, the St Lucia Ratepayers Association (RPA) purchased all necessary equipment to fit nine taps at the scour valves.
Members of the RPA executive committee (Exco) spent last week fitting these taps at the required locations.
This will allow Dukuduku community members access to water via the taps, under which are grated troughs to catch any spilled water.
Furthermore, this should also allow residents nearer the end of the pipeline access to running water.
