The Amathole District Municipality (ADM) is working hard to restore water in the Middledrift area.
According to municipal spokesman Siyabulela Makunga, the problem was caused by a leak to one of the water meters supplying the area.
Close to 1200 inmates and officials at the Middledrift Medium B prison and surrounding villages, including Gugulethu and Ann Shaw, have been affected by the water shortages.
Water was eventually trucked in when the Daily Dispatch started enquiring at the weekend.
Nomxolisi George of Gugulethu said the water crisis was unbearable.
“Many villagers in this area are struggling without water and this has been an issue for many years. We want this to be fixed as it is confusing as sometimes we are told that our water is not sourced from the reliable Sandile dam,” said George.
Another resident, Abongile Booi, said: “When I left for work, there was still no water. The problem is with the water reticulation and we hope that the municipality can fix this soon.”
Makunga said Amatola Water (AW), which is their water and sanitation implementing agency, had a leak on one of their bulk meters and has been struggling to repair it.
“On Friday evening, the ADM were informed that a temporary solution had been made and that the water supply had been opened.
“However, on Saturday this appeared not to be the case as water was still not reaching Middledrift from this line,” said Makunga.
Last week, Dispatch fielded calls from inmates and officials who said the problem at their prison was getting out of control. When contacted by the Dispatch, the Eastern Cape Correctional Services sent water trucks to assist. They also said they were planning on buying more water tanks and a truck of their own to assist if there are future water shortages.
Makunga said in the past Middledrift sourced water from the Gaga Tyume water supply scheme.
“Owing to capacity problems there were frequent outages and ADM requested AW to reconnect an old supply from Sandile Dam. For most of this year, this connection has been reliable,” said Makunga.
Over the weekend, Amatola Water technicians have been working to restore water to the prison. Makunga said since the problem started, the ADM has been providing the facility with water via tankers.
On Saturday the Dispatch team counted more than four trucks delivering water inside the centre.
Makunga said ADM had reopened the Gaga Tyume line. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Middledrift water crisis a top priority
According to municipal spokesman Siyabulela Makunga, the problem was caused by a leak to one of the water meters supplying the area.
Close to 1200 inmates and officials at the Middledrift Medium B prison and surrounding villages, including Gugulethu and Ann Shaw, have been affected by the water shortages.
Water was eventually trucked in when the Daily Dispatch started enquiring at the weekend.
Nomxolisi George of Gugulethu said the water crisis was unbearable.
“Many villagers in this area are struggling without water and this has been an issue for many years. We want this to be fixed as it is confusing as sometimes we are told that our water is not sourced from the reliable Sandile dam,” said George.
Another resident, Abongile Booi, said: “When I left for work, there was still no water. The problem is with the water reticulation and we hope that the municipality can fix this soon.”
Makunga said Amatola Water (AW), which is their water and sanitation implementing agency, had a leak on one of their bulk meters and has been struggling to repair it.
“On Friday evening, the ADM were informed that a temporary solution had been made and that the water supply had been opened.
“However, on Saturday this appeared not to be the case as water was still not reaching Middledrift from this line,” said Makunga.
Last week, Dispatch fielded calls from inmates and officials who said the problem at their prison was getting out of control. When contacted by the Dispatch, the Eastern Cape Correctional Services sent water trucks to assist. They also said they were planning on buying more water tanks and a truck of their own to assist if there are future water shortages.
Makunga said in the past Middledrift sourced water from the Gaga Tyume water supply scheme.
“Owing to capacity problems there were frequent outages and ADM requested AW to reconnect an old supply from Sandile Dam. For most of this year, this connection has been reliable,” said Makunga.
Over the weekend, Amatola Water technicians have been working to restore water to the prison. Makunga said since the problem started, the ADM has been providing the facility with water via tankers.
On Saturday the Dispatch team counted more than four trucks delivering water inside the centre.
Makunga said ADM had reopened the Gaga Tyume line. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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