The ANC government in the Ekurhuleni Metro’s neglect of critical infrastructure is the main cause of Germiston’s current water shortage.
As a consequence of the failure to maintain and upgrade Germiston’s water network, the reservoir supplying Wadeville and Roodekop no longer reaches more than 7% of its capacity.
The Metro has since implemented daily water shedding between 07:00 and 17:00 from the 3rd to the end of September in an effort to raise the reservoir’s water level.
It is unacceptable that Germiston residents are being punished for Ekurhuleni’s laxity in maintaining infrastructure.
The FF Plus made the following requests in a letter to the Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Thembi Msane, and the Head of the Department, Thokozani Maseko:
• Immediately conduct an audit of Germiston’s water infrastructure to identify leaking pipelines.
• Implement effective emergency repair plans to properly repair major pipelines instead of looking for quick fixes.
• The Metro should commit to a comprehensive plan with clear timelines and proper funding for upgrading outdated water infrastructure. An aggressive plan to repair and replace pipes, pumps and reservoirs which have not been maintained in decades should also be implemented.
• The Ekurhuleni Metro should clearly and publicly report on its progress with repairs and planning. No secrecy or excuses will be tolerated.
• Implement proper spatial planning and sustainable water resource management to ensure that Germiston residents have access to reliable water supply. Rationing is unacceptable.
The ANC’s poor governance of Ekurhuleni has left a legacy of decay and it is time to hold it accountable.
The FF Plus will continue to put pressure on the Metro to fulfil its obligations towards the residents of Germiston and other towns.
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