Power Volatility at Water Tower adversely affecting water meters in Northmead and Farrarmere

by Cllr Mary Goby — DA Ward Councillor in Ekurhuleni

Date: 21 June 2021

Release: Immediate

Type: Media Statement

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni has been receiving numerous complaints concerning water meters running excessively in Northmead and Farrarmere. This frequently occurs after a power outage or following water leak repairs. Further exacerbating the issue, is the erratic power supply at the Water Tower in Northmead.

The lack of water supply, water leaks, and rapidly running water meters are all symptoms of ageing water infrastructure. For years now, the DA has been requesting infrastructural upgrades from the ANC and its coalition partners*. Our calls have fallen on deaf ears as residents are still struggling, daily.

In May this year, the DA submitted a people-driven petition on behalf of Ward 27 residents, petitioning the MMC of Infrastructure, Cllr. Masele Madihlaba and the City Manager, Dr. Imogen Mashazi, to urgently purchase and install a generator for the Water Tower situated in Hospital Street, Northmead, Benoni. Each time there is a loss of power owing to maintenance, theft, faults, or load shedding; the water tower cannot pump water, leaving residents in the area without water.

The poor planning, lack of oversight and general maladministration by the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has led the City’s service delivery to a near standstill and, ultimately, it is the residents that suffer.

As the DA, we, therefore, urge residents not to open their taps when there is no water, as this could damage the water meters. When there is no power at the water tower, air builds up in the water pipes, resulting in the main lines being filled with water. Residents are requested to keep their taps closed until water is fully restored in the area. This will also alleviate pressure on the water meters and possibly avoid high water bills.

It is unfortunate that the CoE’s failures will always be detrimental to innocent residents. The dismal failure to deliver basic services highlights the incompetence of the ANC and its coalition partners, and the DA will continue to force the uncaring ANC-government to act in the interest of Ekurhuleni residents.

Under a DA-led government, residents will enjoy an efficient administration that ensures effective and responsive service delivery.

#Time4Change

*ANC Coalition Partners: African Independent Congress (AIC), Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA)

Cllr Mary Goby

DA Ward Councillor in Ekurhuleni