Howick water cuts irk residents

INTERRUPTIONS IN water supply in northern Howick have frustrated residents.

The uMgungundlovu District Municipality said earlier this month that water supplies would be turned off on Tuesday for them to do maintenance on the system.

“The water supply will be affected from 7am to 4.30pm. Residents will not have water during the shutdown as our reservoir will be empty.

“This requires all residents to use water sparingly during the shutdown. Residents, businesses, factories, schools, clinics and all consumers are strongly recommended to store water in receptacles or vessels.”

But, due to a “technical error”, water supply restoration was delayed.

The municipality has apologised to residents affected by the delay.

“During the shutdown (on July 11), a technical error was identified, thus the delay in water restoration. Our water service needs are rapidly growing resulting to frequent water interruptions during maintenance.”

Second Phase

They said they were working on the second phase of the 500mm line which was to feed water from a 300mm line until the new PVC pipe was installed. “The continuing installation of blank flanges on tie points at the Howick North Reservoir had (on Tuesday) resulted in water shutdown in some parts of the area.”

Their technical team had been on site on Wednesday morning, with the assurance that water supplies would be restored in a “few hours”.

But by yesterday , water supply had still not been restored to all areas.

Residents showed their frustration on Facebook.

They commented on the post of another Howick resident, who had been posting periodic updates on the issue.

One resident said: “What is the problem today and where are the water tankers that were going to supply us water yesterday? Unacceptable. I think it’s time to go to the press. Day four now no water.”

Another irate resident said: “Okay. (There is) a welcoming gurgle in the (cistern). Better not be false alarm (because) I really need a bath!”

A resident said: “Whew. I heard via someone in the know that problems could last until tomorrow (today).”

Another said: “I hope this includes Mansfield Road. We had just enough to flush last night but nothing this morning (yesterday).”