New year brings return to water crisis
THOUSANDS of people in Middledrift are again without water as Amatola Water Board resumes restrictions on Amathole district municipality over its R86.3-million arrears.
The municipality (ADM) has also been flagged as one of 30 municipalities that owes the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Last month Minister Nomvula Mokonyane threatened to cut off the water supply if ADM did not settle its R50.6-million debt.
Middledrift taps went dry in November, leaving residents thirsty and afraid. The flow was briefly switched on for the festive period but was cut again on January 1.
The dry taps cause a health hazard as residents have little choice but to to relieve themselves in the nearby bushes. They also have to share drinking water with livestock.
Gugulethu township near the Middledrift prison has been without water since December 31.
The mother of a 10-month-old baby, Hlumisa Ntanta, said it was hitting the villagers hard.
“The last time we had running water was on New Year’s Eve.
“We have flushing toilets that we can’t use because of these problems. People have to use the bush to relieve themselves,” she lamented.
She helps her neighbours with drinking water from her Jojo tank.
“I harvest from the rain and share with my neighbours but this won’t sustain me and my three neighbours forever. We want serious intervention.”
Another resident, Andiswa Mbambani, said people were recycling water for other household chores wherever they could.
“The water we use for washing is kept for flushing toilets. We literally don’t have water to drink.”
Raymond Mhlaba municipality ward 13 councillor Zukiswa Mpendu said they were doing their best to supply residents with water.
“We have been trying to get water for our people and we are struggling. Hundreds of villages here are affected and the nine villages under my leadership are in dire need of water,” said Mpendu.
Ward 14 councillor Songezo Mashengqana said: “Those who have funerals are hardest hit and many are now returning to the rivers for drinking water, something that is wrong.”
Ernest Ntanta, who runs a car wash business, said the water crisis also robbed people of business opportunities.
“We are faced with a high unemployment rate here and when people want to come and open businesses they are put off by the unreliable water supply.
“A few years ago, a Cape Town businessman who was to open a mall here had to shelve the project because of the water crisis.”
Resident Abongile Booi said the problem was between the ADM and Amatola Water.
“We hear that the problem is with the two entities as ADM has failed to pay Amatola the payments due hence the pumps have been switched off,” said Booi.
Amatola Water acting chief executive Asanda Gidana confirmed this, saying restricting the water supply was a necessity.
“Amatola Water has in line with National Water Act and the Public Finance Management Act undertaken to restrict the supply of bulk water to municipalities with outstanding water debt.
“Amatola Water has therefore taken the decision to recover a debt of R86.3-million owed to it by ADM and to prevent a further increase of the debt,” he said.
Middledrift prison has helped some residents with drinking water.
Attempts to get a comment from the district authority drew a blank at the time of writing despite it promising to respond to e-mailed questions.
Late last year the villages faced the same water problem.
At the time, ADM said the problem was caused by a leak at one of the water meters supplying the area. —