The Wilge River is the river that supplies water to Harrismith and at the first month of spring every year, the river has low water levels.

“This is a standard, known fact by everyone living in Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) and it has become quite apparent that this comes as a complete surprise every year to MAP Water,” said DA Councillor Eleanor Quinta.

Back-up plans were put in place for when the Wilge River runs dry, which included pumping water from the Nuwejaarspruit Pump Station. The pump station was vandalised years ago and is still under construction.

Residents of the MAP Municipality have been without water for almost five days. Image: Facebook/Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality

“The DA finds the delay in refurbishment completely unacceptable as the refurbishment project only commenced on 18 September, with an estimated completion date in December.”

“We are committed to closely monitoring the project's progress and exerting necessary pressure to ensure timely completion,” said Quinta.

Water tankers have been sourced and are being paid by the Master of the Court, they will extract water straight from the banks of the Sterkfontein dam.

“There is currently a water tanker in Schoomplaas. It will go fill up again and come back to bring water for the hospital.”  

“As soon as the location of these tankers is known we will distribute the information to residents,” said DA Councillor in MAP Alison Oates.

Every year, it comes as a surprise to MAP Water that the river has low levels at this time. Picture: https://www.mapwater.co.za/

Data from the Department of Water and Sanitation for the week indicated that major dams in Qwaqwa had decreased water levels and were under 70%. The Metsi-Matsho Dam is at 69,4%, while the Fika-Patso Dam sits at 66.3%.

This has raised deep concern that the region's water crisis will get worse.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame