No water supply for six weeks in Lower South Coast

Issued by Councillor Leonard Ngcobo – DA Ugu District Caucus Leader
05 Aug 2020 in Press Statements

The residents of the Munster, Port Edward, Banners Rest and Izingolweni areas have for the past six weeks been experiencing extreme water supply problems, ranging from days without water in certain areas, to weeks of sporadic supply in others. Throughout this period the Ugu District Municipality has kept residents in the dark as to the exact nature of the problem and have been silent on anticipated full restoration dates.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has, through its public representatives, played an active role throughout this crisis in disseminating information when available and continually reporting outages, burst pipes and empty, or overflowing, reservoirs.

At a recent meeting with local ratepayer association leaders, DA public representatives informed them that in addition to the crumbling infrastructure and malfunctioning pumps at the Umtamvuna water treatment works, the Eskom power supply is insufficient to enable the plant to produce the required volume of water to supply the southern coastal region and the inland areas around Izingolweni. 

Due to recent Democratic Alliance pressure on Premier Sihle Zikalala, R14 million was transferred from the Provincial Department of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs via the Ugu District Municipality to Eskom. Ugu has some time ago reached an agreement with Eskom to obtain additional power supplies from the Eastern Cape grid and this recent payment was confirmed. However, an updated implementation plan has been slow.

The DA has undertaken to approach its Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises in parliament to make the necessary representations to Eskom to fast-track this project. This additional electricity supply will allow for the installation of more pumps increasing water pumping capacity to 30ML/day. This will also allow for the filling of the Umtamvuna reserve dam.

The DA has once again shown to be the only political party consistently caring for the wellbeing of all citizens, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.