This as parts of Qwaqwa, which include Phuthaditjhaba and 12 surrounding villages, have been without water for weeks. Assistant Administrator at Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality, Solly Motingoe, confirms 80% of the Qwaqwa area receives water from the Fika Patso Dam, which has been negatively impacted by the drought of late. Motingoe says the water level at the dam is currently about 33% and when it is that low, it has to be pumped in order to get to where it is needed. He explains there was a problem with the booster pump at the dam and they were unable to pump the water.

The selected contractor spent the weekend rectifying the problem and installing another booster pump. He says the system will gradually become operational from today. This, however, doesn’t mean residents will see the results of the progress made today. The Assistant Administrator says the system will take some time to operate at 100%, “we will be increasing power and pressure gradually” until the plant operates fully. It is expected the system will become fully functional again on Tuesday, March 5.

Motingoe confirms the Qwaqwa area wasn’t the only part of Maluti-A-Phofung that has been struggling of late with water supply. He says in the last two weeks the municipality has “succeeded in stabilising Intabazwe in Harrismith and other high lying areas in the municipality that could not get water” due to water leaks. He maintains that these areas are currently receiving water in a sustainable way after the leaks were repaired.

The Free State Department of Water and Sanitation weighed in on the ongoing water shortage in Qwaqwa at the end of February. The Department’s provincial head, Tseliso Ntili, told OFM News that their officials are continuing to play an advisory role and actively assisting the embattled municipality in the eastern Free State with drafting assessments of the situation and developing short to long-term goals to deal with the issue. Ntili also distanced his department from the blame, explaining that each sphere of government has powers and functions, and it is “therefore not the responsibility of one sphere to push another around”. The provincial head says the municipality is responsible for delivering basic services, not the department. “The management of water, which is the potable water, is really clearly the responsibility of the municipality. This is in terms of the operations and maintenance of the infrastructure”. Ntilli says the key issue in Phuthaditjhaba is centered on maintenance of the ageing infrastructure.

OFM News