/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The DA in eThekwini notes with concern the worsening of the water crisis in the municipality with the city ready to implement restrictions or curtailment of water to residents. Whilst Umgeni-UThukela Water has commenced with reductions at bulk supply some time ago, eThekwini has failed to mitigate their own water losses and are now forcing consumers to bear the brunt of years of mismanagement of this critical unit.

Millions of rands later - with eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) unit promising action plans, master plans and a war on leaks programme - the crisis has worsened. The bottom line is that EWS has failed to address the elephant in the room which is the exorbitant water losses over the years. One has to ask, 'But for' the water losses, would consumers be burdened with restrictions on tap water?

The DA condemns the fact that the unit has been unable to turn itself around which also results in taxpayers being hit with tariff hikes and suffering the exhausting daily routines of relying on water from tankers. The restrictions which will commence in a few days is touted to affect every consumer with the city ready to install water restrictors in all wards and pressure reducing valves in strategic areas.

Less water in the system may also cause a strain on sanitation, as the system needs adequate water to ensure the optimal functioning of the sewer systems.

Both Umgeni-UThukela and eThekwini municipality must be accountable for the water woes that face residents as it is a culmination of failures, omission’s, lack of preventative maintenance, lack of fore planning and the dismal track record in repairing leaks and bursts that brought the city to this point.

As the DA we have highlighted all these concerns and have requested that the city leadership drill down to the internal capacity constraints and lack of urgency in curbing water leaks and bursts immediately.

Issued by Councillor Yogis Govender - DA eThekwini EXCO Member