Cherdene Padayachee, a resident of Alra Park's extension 3 in Nigel, South Africa, faces significant challenges in caring for her four-year-old son with cerebral palsy due to the unreliable water supply in her area. Her son requires around-the-clock care and needs clean water to fill his oxygen machine every second day. However, Padayachee often finds her taps dry, forcing her to fetch water from other sections, and when water is available, it's often at odd hours of the night. The inconsistent water supply has become a significant burden for Padayachee and her family.
The City of Ekurhuleni initiated the construction of the Almac bulk water reservoir in 2020 to address the water supply issues in Nigel. The project was expected to take ten months and cost around R32-million in the 2019/20 financial year. However, the project has faced significant delays, and the cost has escalated to R44-million. Despite the substantial investment, the reservoir remains unfinished, and residents continue to experience water shortages. The City of Ekurhuleni attributes the delays to annual budget restrictions.
The Almac reservoir aims to stabilize the water supply to Alra Park and MacKenzieville, with a planned storage capacity of 5 million liters. However, the current demand for water in Nigel exceeds the existing reservoir's storage of 1.5-million liters, and there is insufficient 24-hour storage capacity. Community representative Hugh van Greenen expressed frustration that residents have not been informed about the project's completion date. The reservoir's incomplete status has left residents relying on municipal water tankers, which often deliver discolored water inconsistently.
Residents have expressed concerns about the quality of water supplied by the municipal tankers. Mandla Nhlapo, whose taps have been dry for three years, collects water from the tankers and stores it in his yard, worrying about the water's quality. His wife, Nomasonto Phithi, emphasized the need for a permanent solution, stating that the municipality should invest in completing the reservoir instead of relying on water tanker contracts. The community believes that the funds spent on water tanker contracts could be better utilized to finish the reservoir.
Community representative Hugh van Greenen questioned the benefits of water tanker contracts, suggesting that the money could be invested in completing the reservoir. He also raised concerns about the source of water collected by the tankers and whether it has been tested for human consumption. City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini responded that the water tankers collect water from fire hydrants within the City's water reticulation network and that the water is tested monthly.
The City of Ekurhuleni has announced that the reservoir is expected to be completed in February 2027. Dlamini stated that the contractor will return to the site once payment disputes are resolved. In the meantime, residents will continue to rely on municipal water tankers. The community remains hopeful that the completed reservoir will provide a reliable water supply, alleviating the challenges faced by residents like Padayachee and Nhlapo.
The ongoing water supply issues in Nigel have led to frustration among residents, with some expressing concerns about the impact on their daily lives. Nomandlovu Manzeti, a resident of Alra Park, reported that she still has to carry buckets to fetch water from municipal trucks every other day. The community is eagerly awaiting the completion of the Almac reservoir, which they hope will bring a reliable and consistent water supply to the area.
Key points
- The Almac bulk water reservoir construction began in 2020 but remains unfinished, with a cost escalation from R32-million to R44-million.
- Residents of Nigel face significant challenges due to the unreliable water supply, with some relying on municipal water tankers for their daily needs.
- The City of Ekurhuleni aims to complete the reservoir in February 2027, which is expected to stabilize the water supply to Alra Park and MacKenzieville.
