GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - While Graaff-Reinet suffered under the onslaught of a severe heat wave until Monday this week, many residents were left without running water for days in the midst of super high temperatures.

Charline Swartbooi of the Chris Hani Village in Umasizakhe told the Advertiser on Saturday that she had been without water for nearly five days. "We are struggling with our basic daily needs," she said.

 "It is really hot and there is just no water." On Monday Swartbooi said she was still without water.

A second Umasizakhe resident, who asked that her name be withheld, told the Advertiser that the stench in her house is unbearable. "Our toilets cannot flush. My house stinks, and there is nothing we can do. We have children in this house. The water trucks stop too far from our houses to walk and get water."

These women were not alone in their water woes, as residents from Bergendal, the Horseshoe and other areas in Graaff-Reinet said they were also without water over the weekend, continuing into this week. Residents said that when there was water, it was just a trickle. 

According to Acting Municipal Spokesperson, Wilca Smith, the water levels of the town's boreholes have dropped. "It's worrying," she said, adding that community members are urged to use water sparingly.

Smith said the areas hardest hit by the low water levels include the entire Umasizahke, Bergendal, the top part of Spandauville, as well as Noord, Hope, Auret and Queen streets, and the higher parts of Cradock Street and Stockenstroom Street.

According to Smith, water trucks are constantly circulating these areas. "The times that these trucks will be in affected areas cannot be determined, as the amount of water needed for each area is undetermined," she explained.

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