Good rains cause water woes
The problem started on Tuesday when the heavy rain over the previous days made it difficult to purify the impurities
ALL areas receiving water from the water purification plant at Goedertrouw Dam ran out of water last week.
Water started trickling out of the taps in eShowe on Sunday at around 7.30am, much to the delight of the residents, although the water was discoloured and a warning was issued that it may not be potable owing to the high concentration of chemicals.
The problem started on Tuesday when the heavy rain over the previous days made it difficult to purify the impurities which entered the system and the water was deemed unsafe to be pumped to residents.
The purification plant was decommissioned on Tuesday to allow for dosing and chemical treatment of the impurities in the water.
Residents tried in vain to get comment from King Cetswayo District Municipality with either the ‘hot line’ not being answered or the operator not being able to give answers.
A press release from the district mayor’s office was eventually sent out on Saturday afternoon, apologising for the inconvenience.
In the statement the municipality said, ‘Water tankers are currently supplying residents in strategic areas and will continue to do so until the water is restored.
‘eShowe District Hospital received five water tankers and more were expected to be delivered by Saturday afternoon.
‘We also supplied two tankers to the eShowe Prison and further deliveries were expected on Saturday evening.
‘Arrangements are also in place to deliver water to the uMfolozi TVET College’s eShowe campus.’
Throughout this period, no comment had been received from the uMlalazi Municipality regarding the dire water situation or the steps they are taking to assist the residents in the rural wards who were left high and dry.
Taps dry
Meanwhile, Ward 11 councillor, Stan Larkan, was personally sourcing water and distributing it in Sunnydale, Norwood Park and Mpushini Park throughout Friday and Saturday.
With limited resources, he collected water from the local farming community and filled the buckets of desperate residents waiting on the pavements.
Also helping with distribution of bottled water was Mohammad Hassan and Aslam Baccus, the owner of Kingdom Hardware and Shell Service Station in eShowe who provided massive financial support.
He was also on the road, personally distributing water with his family.
He apologised to those who did not receive water and asked for their understanding as the pressure to cover all the houses was very high.
The Operation Hydrate Organization also did a great job, without whose support the delivery might not have happened.
Bongani Zulu also joined Kingdom Hardware and helped distribute water in the King Dinizulu suburb.
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