DURBAN - RESIDENTS of eThekwini Municipality said they had no faith in the city in addressing water challenges following an announcement by the municipality that it was at an advanced stage in procuring a satellite leak detector to identify water leaks.
In a statement, the city said the detector would be a game-changer as it would help provide solutions to water challenges and increase revenue by reducing water wasted through leaks.
A resident from Shallcross, Vijay Ramlal, said he did not think the leak detector would provide any assistance as they always reported the leaks but got no assistance.
“We are constantly having problems with water pipes leaking and whenever we try to report it, either no one will answer calls in the municipality’s call centre or they will answer and fix the problem after three days.”
Ramlal added that the problem that needed to be fixed was the ageing infrastructure.
Nicole Jack of Glenwood said the city was falling apart and she had no faith that there would be any solutions to current problems.
“By my house there is dirty water and I’ve been complaining about it for some time and no one is doing anything about it. I don’t think that the leak detector will assist,” she said.
Khalid Amod from Shallcross said the leak detector was a good idea but the problem was not leaking pipes but crumbling infrastructure that needs to be replaced.
“They should look into renewing the infrastructure because it is old,” said Amod.
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda welcomed the initiative, saying the municipality was in partnership with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation which has constructed the Remix Demonstration Plant to demonstrate new energy efficient and environmentally friendly desalination technology.
He said this technology would also provide sustainable solutions to water challenges facing the city.
“These initiatives are evidence that the city is working tirelessly on projects that provide solutions to water challenges. This means improved availability of water for residents,” said Kaunda, adding that the public should work with the municipality to respond to water challenges.
“We encourage residents to use water wisely and to report acts of theft and vandalism of water infrastructure through illegal connections, leaks and any other illegal activities. This will reduce interruption of water supply.”
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