Residents say they’re kept in the dark over water woes

DURBAN residents are not happy with the irregularity of the water-shedding schedules.

Some residents, including those living in Collingham Road in Sherwood , said that while it was scheduled for the water to be switched off in some areas from 9pm to 4am, the municipality only switched water back on hours later.

They also claim the municipality workers were ineffective in communicating the delay. Cindy Williams said it had been a problem for the past two months. In the last 17 days problems had escalated, with water often being switched on at only 1pm.

“Various neighbours have reported the problems we are experiencing, but no one comes back to advise us on the cause of the delay.

“Before you call the municipality, you need to take your tranquillisers, and be prepared to sit on the phone for hours,” she said.

Williams, who has recorded all her reference numbers, said that many of the call centre agents claimed the problem was related to the drought and restrictions.

But instead of finding a solution, she said the city refused to help them.

As a result, they had incurred additional expenses by spending hours on the phone and wasted airtime to contact the city, as well as purchased their own water because no water truck visited the area. So they were paying for services they were not receiving.

“ Can we deduct this from our bill? I think it is time that the citizens of Durban unite and take the municipality of Durban to court for non-delivery of services.”

Another resident, Iqbal Essack, said that it was frus- trating being kept in the dark.

He said that despite not having water, the meter was still moving – which reflected on bills.

“We call the engineering department, but receive no joy. If they tell us the times we can at least be prepared,” said Essack. A RESERVOIR Hills pensioner wants the municipality to take action against a homeowner who is using his vacant land for dumping.

Perumal Gounden, of Dangelo Place, said he had tried for years to get council to address the matter, and since earlier this year, dumping on the property had become a real concern.

“The city is dragging its feet in taking a stance on the homeowner,” he said. “The lack of maintenance has contributed