There are many areas in oThongathi (Tongaat) that have been without water for 127 days. Photo: EThekwini Municipality / Facebook and alicejack2002 / Flickr
SOME Tongaat residents still without water – 127 days later
A number of areas in oThongathi (Tongaat) have still not had any piped water, it’s been a whopping 127 days for these residents.
There are many areas in oThongathi (Tongaat) that have been without water for 127 days. Photo: EThekwini Municipality / Facebook and alicejack2002 / Flickr
Certain residents in oThongathi (Tongaat) have been without piped water for 127 days.
A number of areas have been impacted in oThongathi
Ward Councillor Yogis Govender revealed that areas such as Ghandinager, Brake Village, certain parts of Belvedere, oThongathi CBD and the oThongathi industrial area have been impacted by the KZN floods, leaving them without water.
The construction to rebuild the Tongaat Water Treatment Plant started in mid-July and the Municipality said it cost around R31 million. The rebuilding is expected to be completed by October.
Ward Councillor describes the issues residents are facing
Govender said residents have become despondent. Govender explained how some elderly folk have had to carry 20-litre buckets of water up several flights of stairs. She noted how residents felt angered by the ‘dismissive manner’ in which the Municipality had responded to their issues, reports IOL.
“Burns, head injuries, back problems are on increase. It’s taking its toll on everyone especially our elderly and frail. The short-term measure of tankers has been absolutely disastrous and has seen Tongaat rely largely on the private sector,”
said Govender.
Months later and construction at Tongaat Water Treatment Plant has begun
Previously, it was reported that after a months-long wait, construction at the Tongaat Water Treatment Plant begun. According to the municipality, work to rebuild the Tongaat Water Treatment Plant that faced extensive damages during the floods in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is underway.
Various communities have been struggling to get access to water for months since the treatment plant was washed away. The Municipality revealed that the rebuilding is expected to cost around R31 million.
It further stated that 50% of the workforce for the rebuilding project is from the surrounding community, according to SABC News. Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda stated that the community met the contractor who will be rebuilding the Tongaat Water Treatment Plant on Monday, 11 July.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) previously investigated water shortages in Tongaat. Residents have been finding their own ways to get fresh drinking water. Tongaat residents have been struggling to get water since the devastating floods that hit KwaZulu-Natal last month.
