By Ntombi Mokoena – DA Councillor Phumelela Municipality
Note to editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Ntombi Mokoena and Sesotho by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit questions to the Phumelela Local Municipality about worrying clean water losses, following a contractor’s mismanagement of sewage renewal work in Warden.
During a DA oversight visit, we documented leaks wasting approximately 2 litres every 10 seconds, 72 litres per minute, 4,320 litres per hour, and an astonishing 103, 680 liters each day.
We are deeply concerned about the lack of monitoring and accountability, which has led to substantial water wastage, depriving the Warden community of a basic necessity.
For nearly two months, there has been significant leakage of clean water from damaged pipes, which has been left unattended by the contractor responsible for sewer repairs.
While the Warden community endures ongoing water shortages, this uncontrolled water loss continues, with clean water flowing freely into nearby rivers.
The DA will pursue answers and demand an urgent review of monitoring practices to ensure contractors repair damages immediately. We expect the municipality to send inspectors to the site, to immediately address this.
This water wastage directly impacts the Warden community, compounding their water supply challenges and threatening public resources.
The DA will continue to push this, for the people of Warden to receive reliable services. Clean water wastage, at a sewage renewal project, is unacceptable.