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The Democratic Alliance (DA) Mangaung Caucus is calling for immediate and decisive action to prevent severe water shortages in Mangaung during the festive season.

Currently, the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) loss in Mangaung stands at an unsustainable 49.6%, indicating significant water loss due to leaks and other inefficiencies.

Due to Mangaung Metro Municipality's (MMM) failure to take prior preventive measures and the impact of past administrative challenges, the DA proposes a series of pre-emptive actions to ensure residents’ uninterrupted access to clean water, a fundamental constitutional right.

The DA is concerned that historical issues in the municipality’s water provision, particularly during the festive season, may resurface.

Issues such as the depletion of chemicals at water purification plants, inadequate reservoir capacity, delayed maintenance, and excessive water leakages have caused unnecessary hardship for residents in previous years over this period. Without action, these challenges could significantly impact community health, safety, and convenience during the upcoming holidays.

Proposed Preventive Actions by the DA:

Chemical Supply and Reservoir Capacity:

The DA urges MMM to immediately engage with Vaal Central Water to secure and plan for necessary chemical supplies. Additionally, MMM must ensure all reservoirs, especially in outlying areas like Soutpan, Dewetsdorp, Wepener, and Van Stadensrus, are fully capacitated with purified water. This pre-emptive measure will reduce the risk of water shortages during the holiday season.

Pipe Maintenance and Leak Management:

Mangaung's extensive water network has suffered from poor maintenance, with an alarming 463 pipe bursts and 17,845 leaks reported across 3,854 km in the last financial year. The DA urges MMM to implement a rigorous maintenance schedule immediately, prioritising repairs to prevent failures during December.

Addressing High Water Loss Levels:

MMM must urgently reduce this loss by improving the speed and quality of leak repairs, particularly in underserved areas like informal settlements and rural locations. Delayed repairs often lead to traffic issues and disrupt residents’ access to their properties. The DA requests that MMM not only expedites repairs but also rehabilitates dug-up areas post-repair to prevent further disruption.

To assist MMM in addressing the water crisis proactively, the DA has attached a list of 77 active water leaks that must be fixed before December. Ensuring these repairs now will help protect the community from water shortages over the holiday period.

The DA will continue to monitor MMM’s actions closely and advocate for sustainable water solutions that uphold residents’ rights to a reliable water supply.

Issued by Hardie Viviers - DA Caucus Leader Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality