GMM is wasting water while large areas struggle with water supply
Residents are still struggling with water supply whilst the Rand Water account is now reaching catastrophic proportions.
Bethal residents have been complaining about the water supply. So has the residents of Thistle Grove, eMbalenhle, Emzinoni and Leandra. Even Secunda has experienced water problems.
But if one investigates the issue a bit further it is clear that Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) does not have the water supply under control.
The reservoirs next to Adullam Mission are a prime example. Water is gushing out of an overflow pipe (or similar) forming a small stream that filled a small dam. This has been reported to have been happening for up to two months.
GMM has repeatedly tried to shift the blame. Farmers are blamed for allegedly stealing water with illegal connections. Huge leaks are blamed. Even Rand Water was not spared. And finally, the load-shedding also bared the brunt of the accusations.
All the above might contribute to the water problem. But, there is always a but, it does not take away from the fact that one has to have your own house in order. GMM cannot blame people while they are wasting huge amounts of water themselves.
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The problem became so bad in Thistle Grove that the residents took to the streets and stopped traffic driving through Kinross. Tyres and other rubble were burned to show their frustration. They even faced the wrath of the Police as police fired rubber bullets at them as they were retreating.
Bethal had to rely on donations from other communities just to have drinking water. The reservoirs are constantly being filled but are rarely enough to supply a large area of the town and Emzinoni.
Eendract and Leslie (Leandra) also regularly report that they are struggling with water.
eMablenhle residents had to endure long times without water also.
The media had been very active in reporting about the water problems in GMM but to no avail. Water trucks were intermittent at best with residents complaining that the water was not clean or that the truck drove so fast that it was unable to get it to stop.
Even Sasol opened water collection points when the lack of water became unbearable in Ext 22 Secunda.
The World Health Organisation describe the basic water needs as “These uses ordinarily include drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, food preparation and personal and household hygiene. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 50 and 100 litres of water per person per day are needed to ensure that most basic needs are met and few health concerns arise.“
Chapter 2 of the Constitution of South Africa provides that: “Everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water.” To give effect to this right Parliament has enacted the Water Services Act 108 of 1997.
The Water Services Act of 1997 states: “Right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation
3. ( 1 ) Everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation.
(2) Every water services institution must take reasonable measures to realise these rights.
(3) Every water services authority must, in its water services development plan. provide for measures to realise these rights.
(4) The rights mentioned in this section are subject to the limitations contained in this Act.”
Chapter two of the SA Constitution reads:
Section 27. Health care, food, water and social security
1. Everyone has the right to have access to
a. health care services, including reproductive health care;
b. sufficient food and water; and
c. social security, including, if they are unable to support themselves and their dependants, appropriate social assistance.
2. The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of each of these rights.
3. No one may be refused emergency medical treatment.
GMM must look after its water reservoirs and sources to be able to provide for the basic needs of its residents.
The lack of proper maintenance and infrastructure repairs/upgrading is slowly but surely starting to bite harder and deeper into the ability to provide good drinking water to the residents of GMM.
Let us hope that GMM will start to care for its infrastructure!
