JOUBERTINA NEWS - The DA conducted oversight inspections of water and sewerage infrastructure in Joubertina and other regions of the Koukamma Municipality recently, compiling a report that will be submitted to national government to address what it calls a "looming humanitarian crisis".
According to the DA's Koukamma constituency leader, Henni Britz, they visited water and sewerage infrastructure in Joubertina and other regions of the Koukamma municipality to investigate the causes of ongoing water shortages, dirty water, and low water pressure that residents experience.
They engaged with key stakeholders, including residents and specialists, to find lasting solutions to Joubertina’s water and sewerage issues.
In a press release, Britz said that they found the water problems in Joubertina could have been avoided; that they are largely unnecessary and are the result of poor municipal management.
Joubertina receives its water from the Wabooms River Dam in the Tsitsikamma catchment area, an area known for its abundance of water resources.
The dam is currently overflowing, and Britz says there should be no shortage of clean drinking water.
What is the problem?
The reason for the water issues, according to Britz, is that only one of three pumps at the water pump station in Joubertina town is operational, and the other two are out of order and disconnected.
Additionally, the water purification plant, which was started some years ago, has been abandoned, leaving water untreated before it is pumped to the nearby reservoir.
This results in inefficient water being pumped to the reservoir.
"During our visit to the reservoir, we found that the manhole lid on the reservoir was not even locked, making it accessible to anyone who might throw unwanted objects into it," he said.
"The reservoir has not been cleaned in years, leading to dirty and undesirable water reaching households.
To make matters worse, the reserve reservoir dam, intended for use when the main reservoir is being cleaned or when extra water is needed, was vandalised years ago and is now unusable.
The main valves connecting the reservoirs to the pump station are also inoperable due to years of neglect, making it impossible to clean the reservoir."
Briz said that fixing Joubertina's water issues does not require complex engineering or innovative solutions.
"What is needed is political will backed by effective administration."
The detailed report with both short- and long-term solutions will be presented to the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo, accompanied by a request for urgent intervention.
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