WhatsApp line launched to report city water problems
DURBAN ratepayers have welcomed the eThekwini Municipality’s decision to launch a WhatsApp line for people to report water leaks.
Ratepayers across the city gave the idea the thumbs up, saying it was a step in the right the direction if the city was to adequately deal with its water wastage.
“It will make a difference. Most people have WhatsApp, which makes it quite easy and gives a fast response. It is a good idea as they are reaching out. They are using technology which is useful,” said Lilian Develing, chairwoman of the Confederation of Mistbelt Ratepayers and Residents’ Association.
Yesterday eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede, alongside other municipal officials, launched the WhatsApp line to make it easier and convenient for the public to report any water-related issues and to speed up the municipality’s response.
The innovative project is part of the city’s effort to use technology to reach its 3.5 million residents.
The mobile line will allow the public to report leaks, burst pipes, illegal connections, blocked sewer drains, water supply interruptions and any other water-related issue to eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) Unit.
Platform
It will be a platform for the community and business to report all water-related issues, anytime and anywhere, using their phones, the municipality said.
The WhatsApp line will also have a facility for consumers to send location pins of prob- lems which will assist plumbing teams in locating problem areas. Customers will have their chat history with EWS kept for reference on unresolved issues, the city said.
A task team has been working on putting the project together and EWS is ready to roll it out to the public.
Necessary infrastructure has already been set up at a call centre, while staff training has been conducted. A pilot project also has been conducted successfully to test its feasibility.
Chesterville Residents Association chairman, Floyd Ngcobo, said: “We do commend it. It will have a positive impact.
“It is the easiest way to report our water problems. It is inven- tion in the right direction.”
David van Onselen, of Durban Rates Action Group, said: “This is a good initiative. This is a tool that will bring about pressure on the municipality to act up. But how is it physically going to stop the municipality from not replying?”
Gumede applauded the milestone, adding that she had pledged to prioritise water and sanitation provision during her inaugural speech.
Paying
“I was not just paying lip service when I said the city must continue to get the basics right. We have remained true to our pledge and demonstrated that our City is committed to using modern technology to fast-track service delivery.
“We are confident eThekwini residents will partner with us to ensure the timeous reporting of water leaks, burst pipes, illegal connections, blocked sewer drains and water supply interruptions,” she said.
The WhatsApp Water Reporting number is 073 148 3477.