Insufficient water supply to consumers in the cash-strapped Kopanong Local Municipality in the Xhariep District continues.
The water supply crisis experienced in the nine towns administered by the ANC-led municipality resurfaced on 28 February when Bloem Water reduced bulk supply by 30%.
Kopanong’s debt to the supplier reportedly stood at R9,5 million by December 2021, owing to ongoing failure by the municipality to settle its account.
Despite several intervention processes aimed at addressing the municipality’s escalating debt, payments continued to be missed.
According to Bloem Water, the municipality failed to pay its bulk water accounts for more than six months.
The last payment was made in July last year.
Residents continue bearing the brunt of the municipality’s sizeable financial predicament.
Those living in high-lying areas are the most affected. They have grown accustomed to travelling several kilometers to fetch water in every available container.
Disgruntled consumers lament the irony of their struggle with water supply amid widespread flooding.
Due to ongoing heavy rainfall in the province, major water systems and reservoirs in the Free State are at full capacity.
