IN RESPONSE to yesterday’s protests in Shallcross, sparked by water cuts, the eThekwini Municipality is urging residents to reduce their daily demand to ensure all residents have access to water, while new bulk schemes are being implemented by the city.
Residents and community leaders said the protests stemmed from a lack of water supply for more than two weeks, leading to frustrated residents burning tyres to gain the attention of the municipality.
Gugu Sisilana, the spokesperson for the municipality, said: “It is important to also note that the surge in water demand in the city has outpaced the available supply. The city is aware of water supply challenges affecting all areas supplied from the southern aqueduct where supply is intermittent.
"The construction of the 24km southern aqueduct is in progress. This pipeline will bring much-needed relief to downstream areas in the south, including Shallcross and Chatsworth."
She said the surge in water demand in the city outpacing the available supply, was primarily due to population growth, the issue of leaks caused by vandalism, ageing infrastructure, and a high consumption demand.
“The bulk capacity of all three major treatment works supplying the city has been reached. The city has been experiencing a water deficit since 2018. To address water supply challenges, we are undertaking a collaborative effort involving the city, the national Department of Water and Sanitation and uMngeni-uThukela Water to construct and commission the lower and upper uMkhomazi Dam. These are pivotal projects to augment our water supply.
“The city has also implemented water rationing in all parts of the southern aqueduct from time to time. This is an operational decision that is only implemented when there’s a demand.”
With regards to the residents' complaints of water tankers not adequately serving the area, Sisilana said ward councillors played a key role in coordinating the deployment of water tankers.
“The municipality collaborates with ward councillors to inform residents about the arrival of the tankers in their areas. Ward councillors, as elected public representatives, play a key role in coordinating the deployment of water tankers in their respective wards. Residents are encouraged to engage with their Ward councillors for updates and assistance,” she added.
Mahendra Lillkan, a community leader from Shallcross, said while the frustrations were still high, as the water supply had still not returned today, there were no protests in the area.
“The community has been receiving free water from different donors. We are grateful for those that are assisting the residents,” he said.