Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - it is a miserable year for the availability of water in the northern suburbs.
The water has been turned off on more days than when it was available thus far in the year.
At the time of writing this article on Wednesday January 24, it was the fourth day without a drop of water in the southern part of Wilkoppies.
The taps were completely dry, but water was flooding the streets, pavements and some gardens and in some cases burst fire hydrants were seen. “All of this water going to waste! And not one drop can be used by the residents,” said Christa Pretorius, a Wilkoppies resident whose household was without water for the fourth day running.
“We had to get water from my children in Adamayview at the start of the week to wash and had to navigate floods in Monica and Platan Avenue while driving there,” she said.
“This cannot continue. Something must be done. Children have to go to school and food has to be prepared, while the taps are dry. People have to use the toilet. We are desperate. Please help. How long can this continue? It is a serious health risk. This is a big municipality, why can’t they do something?” she wanted to know.
On Wednesday, the city council proudly proclaimed that water supply to central parts of Flamwood has resumed. “The bulk of the damaged pipelines have been repaired, the only outstanding pipeline to be repaired is in Abrahamson Street. The maintenance team will resume with repairs,” claimed the municipality.
This statement set community WhatsApp groups alight, because according to Inge Wilken, member of the Ward 39 committee, it is “rubbish’’.
“There are more leaks in the ward to be repaired. Some areas are still without water,” she wrote on the municipality’s Facebook page.
DA Cllr Gerhard Strydom also commented by saying “you obviously do not have the correct information. The southern part of Wilkoppies has been without water now for the fourth day due to the incapacity of our water teams not able to manage pressure”.
The municipality blamed the interruption on the malfunctioning pressure reducing valves which could not handle an increase in the system pressure.
Reasons stated on community groups paint a different picture - skills shortage, personnel shortage, vehicle and equipment sabotage and possible sabotage at the reservoir’s telematics system.
Meanwhile, life has to continue, but with dry taps and toilets and not a single drop to drink.
