Chatsworth water crisis: Allegations of threats against distribution officer

CHATSWORTH residents have accused the eThekwini Municipality of “blowing a situation out of proportion” after they were accused of threatening a water distribution officer (WDO) and preventing him from implementing the rationing schedule by shutting off the reservoir valves.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

On Monday, the municipality issued a statement that residents who are supplied with water from Chatsworth 4 Reservoir, in Moorton, would face a delay in the restoration of service due to staff members being threatened.

"The delay is due to an unfortunate incident that occurred on Monday, when the WDO was threatened and prevented by a group of people from entering the reservoir to close the valves in order to allow the system to fill up.

"This process is done as part of the rationing initiative which was communicated to all affected communities including the schedule for when water will be closed and opened," the statement read.

It said due to major water supply constraints, the city had implemented rationing on its water networks in the central and south regions.

"This is being done to allow water to fill up at reservoirs to be distributed equally to affected communities. As a result of this incident, the reservoir currently does not have sufficient water to supply all the communities dependent on it. Water that is coming through the reservoir gets depleted quickly and is therefore not reaching all the intended communities. The city closes the valves to build sufficient water levels which allows enough pressure for water to reach intended communities.

"Security measures are currently being put in place. And as soon as it is safe for employees, the process to fill up the reservoir will commence. However, the recovery is likely to take more than 48 hours from Monday."