Residents queue from 5am as Dordrecht township runs dry

Residents of Tyoksville in Dordrecht spent their Christmas and went into the new year without water.

For these residents, they would queue with their buckets hoping that a truck from Chris Hani District Municipality carting water would arrive.

As early as 5am, people would queue with their buckets

As early as 5am, people would queue with their buckets hoping to get water as their taps are running dry.

For days they would go home without water after waiting for hours.

According to these residents, it was a struggle to get water to wash their clothes let alone to cook and wash.

One of the residents shouted that, all they wanted was water.

Photo supplied

Who could spend the entire December holidays without water

“Who could spend the entire December holidays without water,” said the resident who wanted to remain anonymous.

She said they still have December laundry which they need to do.

Dordrecht councillor Mxolisi Masiza said the problem is too much.

This started in 2024

“This started in 2024 and we were told that water pumps had a problem. There has been no solution since then. People are still struggling to get water,” he said.

Masiza said it is difficult to even get water carted to them.

Chris Hani District Municipality spokeswoman Thobeka Mqamelo said water supply interruption in Dordrecht area originated from large scale vandalism to two booster pumps where critical components were stripped and stolen.

“The waste water treatment plant also suffered the same fate rendering it dysfunctional.

The municipality, through a service provider

“The municipality, through a service provider, managed to have one booster pump replaced before recess period. However, high lying areas, not only Tyoksville, still could not get normal service as pumping to upper areas is effective when both booster pumps are installed and operational,” Mqamelo alluded.

She said today, a community engagement is scheduled for 11am to provide update whilst a service provider that will immediately commence with installation of the second booster pump will also be on site.

“The situation will normalise as soon as both pumps are operational,” she said.