Water levels in Qwaqwa’s two major dams supplying drinking water to consumers have decreased below the 70% mark, raising grave concerns of a worsening water crisis in the area. The Fika-Patso Dam is hovering at 66.3% while the Metsi-Matsho Dam is at 69.4%.
The Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) data for the week of 2 October shows the department has flagged both dams with a # symbol. The other 18 dams in the Free State supplying water for consumption are above 90%. The data of the department shows the overall provincial water storage is at 91,5%, while this time last year it stood at 98,4%. The difference is attributed to rainfall.
Residents in this rural town also depend on water supplied by tankers owned by private companies in the coalition-run Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality. However, this alternative service was under threat recently, owing to an apparent delay in payment to the owners of the 37 companies contracted to supply water. Aggrieved water-owners of tankers recently halted the provision of water due to non-payment exceeding seven months.
Residents in other areas indicate that running water is available during the night when they are asleep. The real problem underlying the water crisis was found to range from various factors such as the lack of proper infrastructure, political instability in the municipality, maladministration, poor delivery of services, alleged high levels of corruption, and poor financial management.
The situation is exacerbated by prolonged Eskom load shedding and the municipality’s failure to pay the huge debt, worth more than R7 186 553 097.49 to the power supplier, which is for bulk supply. Frustration with water shortages has now seen communities of Qwaqwa taking to the streets and barricading roads to demand a supply of water.
