The DA in Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality (GTLM) has written to the municipal manager, Mr. Donald Mhangwana, to urgently provide clarity around the water losses at the Georges Valley water treatment plant.
Following complaints from residents that their taps run dry water around 14:00, the DA conducted an oversight at the treatment plant which operates from 04:00 to 21:00 daily.
For three weeks, three times a day, the DA took readings at the plant and found a definite trend: From the readings we ascertained that the plant receives on average 108 litres per second, however at around 13:00 this drops to between 82 -80 litres per second and returns to 108 litres per second at around 20:00.
Millions of litres of water are unaccounted by the drop in the water influx to the plant and is the cause of the water shortages experienced by residents in Ward 14.
When we discussed the matter with officials, it became apparent that they are aware of the ongoing situation.
Tzaneen has been plagued by water restrictions due to the expansion of the town, lack of maintenance, aged infrastructure and now water losses exacerbate the already dire situation.
The DA is appalled by the lack of motivation and unwillingness by the GTLM officials to investigate and rectify the reason/s behind the water losses as it has a profound impact on the community they ought to serve.
We will not tolerate such negligence and will continue to conduct oversight to the plant and put pressure on officials until the cause of the water losses has been identified, rectified and action taken against those responsible; Where the DA governs, the community comes first.