Still no end to water problems in Mtubatuba

TEN days have passed since the Mtubatuba waterworks ground to a halt, leaving thousands of residents without the means to bath or wash dishes and clothes.

While supply has been restored to parts of the affected area, it is heavily restricted and thought to be unfit for human consumption.

Fearing illness, residents who are worst affected are too scared to bath in the mud-coloured water, and fearful to have it flowing through their geysers as it may block pipes with dire consequences.

Drinking tap water is out of the question.

One of the four reservoirs in KwaBhobhoza near Mtubatuba is 2% full, while the other three are empty.

An excavator has been working in the Mfolozi River since last Friday and plans are allegedly afoot to complete the recommissioning of boreholes, which should have been done last year.

Borehole output is thought to be insufficient to fulfill demand and residents are urged to use water sparingly until the rains come.

According to uMkhanyakude District Municipality, the provincial government has declared the district a disaster area and District Mayor, Jeffrey Vilane, is in talks with Nomvula Mokonyane, the Minister of Water and Sanitation.

Through its Back to Basics programme, COGTA (Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs) is assisting uMkhanyakude in its talks with uThungulu District Municipality to connect a bulk water pipeline from the Nsezi River.

‘Regarding the issue of outstanding payments to contracted water supplier WSSA, the uMkhanyakude District Municipality currently owes WSSA some money, but not as much as stated in the newspaper [on Monday]. We have agreed to meet urgently and iron out some issues of concern,’ said district municipal spokesperson Mdu Dlamini.

@TamlynJolly

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