Forced to share water with animals
TWO communities in Ward 9 of the Mthonjaneni Municipality are being forced to share their water with cattle.
Residents of Mkhwakhwini and Qunebe reserves have to mingle with cows, goats and donkeys to get water from the nearby uMfule River after their taps ran dry in December.
A disgruntled Qunebe resident, Nomathemba Ngema (56), said they reported this unhygienic situation to their ward councillor Thulani Zincume with the hope that their water crisis would be resolved quickly, but so far nothing has been done.
‘We have no idea when the municipality plans to resolve this matter. We are forced to chase animals away from the river to collect water to bath, wash and cook.
‘This is unacceptable. Sharing water with animals poses a health hazard,’ she said.
Councillor Zincume said he has been interacting with King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM) water officials to try to resolve the issue.
‘They pointed out that the problem is caused by low water levels at Phobane Dam, which supplies water to all wards under the uMlalazi and Mthonjaneni municipalities. I have told the officials that residents are now demanding boreholes as it seems that this water crisis will not be resolved any time soon,’ he said.
Zincume believes that Phobane dam is too small to accommodate both municipalities with water.
‘The dam needs to be expanded so that it will have enough capacity to accommodate the demand.’
In response, the district municipality said it was aware of the situation affecting the two communities and is attempting to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.
‘The low water levels at Phobane Dam have affected the quality of reticulation to some areas, and this is now compounded by the commencement of rolling loadshedding, which is affecting the operations of the water treatment plant.
‘The two areas mentioned are the two worst affected, and we have dispatched water tankers to supply the community with water on Tuesday and Wednesday.
‘We are aware of the request for boreholes and the feasibility of providing them is being investigated with urgency.
‘The community will receive water via tankers in the interim to eliminate the need for them to access water from the river.
‘We deeply regret the inconvenience and will be monitoring the situation closely.’