Disabled struggle to access water

DISABLED, elderly and infirm residents are struggling to access water in Warrenton, while hundreds of community members continue to flock to water points.

Residents have been without a supply of water for over a month after the main water pipeline was damaged during the recent floods.

A local resident who is confined to a wheelchair, Esther Solomons, said she was unable to carry heavy containers of water to keep her household running and to flush her toilet.

“There is a big hole in front of my gate and when it rains I cannot go anywhere. I am charged between R10 to R30 to fill my container. If I don’t have money then I have to go myself to collect drinking water,” said Solomons.

She added that she was worried that she could be without a home as she was currently staying in a shanty on a family member’s plot.

“The owner is currently in Cape Town and intends building on the plot so I am not sure what will become of me. I have made dozens of applications for a house but nothing has been forthcoming.”

Solomons stated that she felt embarrassed that her son had to empty her toilet bucket.

“He is a young man and it is not right that he should clean up after me.”

A concerned community member, Jan Louw, said there were around 150 residents in Warrenton that were unable to collect water.

“Not everyone is strong enough to collect water as some are making use of crutches, are sick or are wheelchair bound. The water also spills out of the containers as it is being transported in wheelbarrows for up to five kilometres. Some people are being robbed of their containers on their way home,” said Louw.

He added that two trucks were supplied by Frances Baard District Municipality while two contractors were delivering water.

“We wanted to hand over the list of the addresses to the mayor or municipal manager but have been interdicted from making any contact with them.”

The acting municipal manager of Magareng Municipality, Tumelo Thage, pointed out that the interdict was only intended to prevent illegal gatherings, vandalism of municipal property and acts of violence.

He indicated that residents with special needs were being identified by ward committees so that water could be delivered to their homes.

“A water team is assisting with identification and providing assistance,” said Thage.

He added that 630-millimetre diameter steel pipes were delivered to the municipality on March 15 in three loads, over three consecutive days.

“The steel pipes will be used for the low bridge construction. The pipe support structures (steel brackets) are also being manufactured off-site. In accordance with the construction programme, we are on track.”

He stated that the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform and Rural Development, the Department of Roads and Public Works, the Frances Baard District Municipality and Treasury, among others, had provided financial assistance, technical support and water tankers to the municipality.

“Sector departments have made financial commitments to pay funds directly to the service providers. No money will be transferred directly to Magareng Municipality.”

Thage added that the municipality had submitted an application to the national management disaster centre to enable Coghsta to declare the water crisis a disaster.

“Additional financial support has also been requested.”

He indicated that the diversion of the pipeline to the low-water bridge was a permanent and sustainable solution that would last for the next 30 years.

“We received approval from the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) as the bridge is in their asset register.

“We have received a positive record of decision from Northern Cape Heritage Resources Authority and National Environmental Management Act for the construction. All statutes have been complied with and we will start with construction on the low-water bridge.”

He explained that they were exploring all options to restore the water supply as a matter of urgency.

“Our engineers are preparing a report to determine if the use of divers to work underwater to repair the existing pipeline is practically viable and financially feasible.”