Unable to meet demand, Mangaung Metro is violating residents’ fundamental human right to have access to clean drinking water.

Residents in most parts of Bloemfontein now only have access to tap water for twelve out of every 24 hours.

Framed as a temporary measure to stabilise reservoir levels, water rationing gave rise to widespread disruption. The municipality’s failure to communicate its plans has left residents unprepared.

The water department had spent less than 1% of its R138 million budget. Photo: Charne van der Merwe

To facilitate planned interruptions, water supply valves to Mangaung were closed off on Tuesday (27/11) and will likely remain closed till sometime next week. Rationing should create an opportunity for reservoirs to reach levels which are favourable for consistent, reliable and sustainable water supply.

DA Cllr Paul Kotzé said with the timeframe unknown, the water supply failure poses a threat to public health, economic stability, and trust in governance. “Vague information received from the municipality has fuelled frustration among residents.

“On Thursday (28/11) DA members were met with clear signs of severe infrastructure neglect when visiting Maselspoort Water Works and Vaal Central Water. Systemic issues are compounded by mismanagement of funds earmarked for critical repairs. “Forty-nine per cent of Mangaung’s purified water goes to waste due to leaks and burst pipes,” said Kotzé.

This displays an outright failure by the metro to do maintenance. Photo: Charne van der Merwe

By the end of the first quarter, the water department had spent less than 1% of its R138 million budget. According to the DA, this displays an outright failure by the metro to do much-needed maintenance and upgrades.

Crucial allocations, such as R5.2 million for valve repairs, R12.9 million for water supply maintenance, and R47 million for the Maselspoort filter system upgrade, remain untouched.

The DA has promised to escalate matters to the provincial legislature to hold the metro accountable for “gross mismanagement”.

OFM News cg