GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - In the past week, when the country experienced Stage 4 load shedding for several consecutive days, many areas of Graaff-Reinet were once again without water for several days.
The high-lying areas of town, Umasizakhe, Bergendal, Spandauville, Kroonvale, Selfbou and Santaville seem to have been the worst affected, because of their elevation.
Adendorp had no water for over a week, and residents claim that no water tanker came to the area.
The dam level is still very low, despite some recent rain, and so the municipality is relying on boreholes.
At each borehole with only one pump in operation (although there are supposed to be two at each borehole).
Last month, municipal acting spokesperson Wilca Smith confirmed that some pumps are broken, and because the contractor has not paid the subcontractor, the municipality cannot get the pumps back - this is affecting all areas.
Loadshedding has had a huge impact on the ability of the municipality to supply water, as, without electricity, the pumps obviously cannot be used. Many residents are questioning why the municipality does not have generators available for the pumps.
Residents of Queen Street, a high-lying area, reported being without water for seven days, and even when there was water, it apparently was only a trickle. Residents say that this is now the third month with little or no water.
Many parts of Umasizakhe have also been badly affected, as have the other high areas of town.
Members of the community have been asking why, once power has been restored, the water supply is not also restored.
According to Cllr Samantha Graham, there is simply not enough pressure in the system for the water to be able to be pumped to the highest areas.
"The infrastructure is so old, that the valves cannot be adjusted to cut off areas temporarily to increase the pressure so that the water can reach these areas," she explained.
The SA College for Tourism has reportedly been struggling with water for several months now, while Huis van de Graaff Old Age Home has also had problems, with residents unable to shower.
A group from the DA took water there recently, to fill up their tanks, but this is clearly not enough.
Residents have also complained that the low pressure either means that a load of washing takes twice as long as usual, or even causes the washing machine to malfunction.
These are just a few of the many complaints aired on social media and in the neighbourhoods of Graaff-Reinet.
Tankers have been taking water the affected areas, but it seems rather hit-and-miss as to whether residents are aware of when they are at a given location. In answer to a question posed by some residents, the tankers are filled from fire hydrants.
Even when the water came back on some areas, residents complained that the tap water was still smelling like raw sewage and that it could not even be used for cooking because of the smell. Small wriggly insect larvae were also seen coming from taps in some areas!
The whole municipality has been under water restrictions since December 2017, and consumers have once again been encouraged to use what little water there is in a careful manner.
Most residents understand and accept problems caused by the ongoing drought, and are trying to conserve water. What they find hard to accept is that poor maintenance over the years and lack of planning has led to the dreadful state of the infrastructure.
The Dr. Beyers Naudé Local Municipality was approached for comment in this regard, however, none has been forthcoming.
'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'
