Today on Mother’s Day Bloemdal, Ferreira and a few other residential areas that feed directly from the Longridge reservoir take-off still have no water.
According to a press release by Dave McKay, DA councillor, in a press release its been more than 96 hours for these residence without water.
“Last week the emergency 36 hours maintenance set for 30 April was postponed finally to the 8th of May. Vaal Central Water had to replace the valves and meters on the Longridge take-off due to extensive vandalism on the mainline. To which the residents are extremely grateful.
All residents were prepared after the notification was sent. However I need to state at this point that it was supposed to be for 36 hours only,” said McKay.
The Mangaung Metro must take a human rights-based approach (HRBA) to water improvements, so that no one gets left behind.
The right to water entitles everyone to have access to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use.
All people are entitled to water and sanitation without discrimination. Marginalized groups – women, children, rural / peri-urban communities, disabled people and many others – are often overlooked by, and sometimes face active discrimination from, those planning and governing water improvements and services, and other service users.
In the press release McKay stated: “A society can only achieve high rates of public health, gender equity, educational attainment, and economic productivity when all of its members enjoy their rights to water and sanitation. Respect for human rights must be integrated into development plans for all sectors, at all levels.
It is high time that Vaal Central water (old Bloem Water) and the metro bulk set their differences aside for the benefit of these rural communities and for the residents of Mangaung.
A good start will be clear, concise and regular communication. Not conflicting and begged for by councillors. Last but not least less promises and more action is required. Afterall no prevention has been done to prevent the vandalism of the reservoirs or the pipe lines that are regular occurrences. That goes for the vandalism of the Centlec cables and street lights on the Ferriera Road, Jagersfontein Road as well as in Lourierpark which has coincidentally tripled since the illegal occupancy across and adjacent to Lourierpark.
“Time for the executive mayor to stop trying to avoid be implicated and prioritize crime and maintenance issues in this area in particular. “
