The Department says the municipality is facing severe water challenges due to decreased water levels at the Fika Patso Dam and this has “forced the turbidity levels to a maximum, which in turn makes it a requirement for water to be boiled before consumption, as a precautionary measure”.

Head of the Department, Tseliso Nili, says more quality assurance tests are still being conducted at the Sterkfontein Plant reservoirs. He is encouraging communities to boil water as a precautionary measure. The warning by the provincial department comes just weeks after Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, briefed the media about water challenges in the country and cautioned the country to use water sparingly.

 She told the media that scientific projections are that hot temperatures will persist until the end of the summer period, next year and that until the end of the year, the country will experience below-average rainfall that would be accompanied by hot temperatures, raising evaporation levels in the dams.

“The Department also pleads with Maluti-A-Phofung residents to take only enough water for the household as Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality is in the process of dispersing more Jojo tanks in affected areas,” says Ntili.

The DA in the province has meanwhile called on the Minister to investigate unaccounted millions for boreholes that were supposed to be drilled years ago in Qwaqwa.

In a statement, where the party raises concerns over the lack of water supply to communities, the party says the municipality has for years left residents to suffer from a lack of water supply and that they need to be held accountable.

The party’s MPL Leona Kleynhans adds that “in other areas, residents have to dig holes themselves to find water, or get water from the natural springs in the area which are also used by animals”.

The municipality has for years made news over a lack of service delivery, alleged corruption, and maladministration.

It is counted amongst the worst Eskom defaulters owing nearly R4 billion, with Free State municipalities collectively owing over R9.8 billion.

OFM News