Residents across multiple towns in the Matjhabeng Municipality are facing a severe water crisis as ageing infrastructure, persistent leaks, and poor municipal maintenance leave thousands without reliable access to water.

Hennenman has been without water for more than a week, while communities in Welkom, Odendaalsrus and Virginia report unresolved leaks that have lasted for months, with some bleeding valves wasting water for more than 105 days.

The crisis has exposed critical failures in municipal service delivery, including a lack of essential equipment, inadequate repair materials and apparent absence of accountability in maintenance programmes.

Over the weekend, residents were expected to provide grinders, extension cords and electricity for the water team to complete repairs – Badenhorst

Manie Pretorius, VF Plus councillor for Hennenman, says the town’s water shortage was not caused by empty reservoirs, but by ageing infrastructure, continuous burst pipes and the municipality’s inability to respond effectively.

“Local contractors must be held accountable,” Pretorius says.

Maxie Badenhorst, DA councillor, says residents in Breed Street were left without water for more than a week after a major leak was discovered by a resident, not the municipality. Over the weekend, residents were expected to provide grinders, extension cords and electricity for the water team to complete repairs.

“A major concern is that whenever there is a leak or burst pipe anywhere in Hennenman, the water supply to the entire town is shut down instead of isolating only the affected section,” Badenhorst said.

Strike action in Phomolong further delayed repairs, while the municipality’s lack of essential equipment and delays in approving overtime hampered response times. Additional major leaks were reported at 70 Schlebusch Street on Friday morning, in Fourie and Schlebusch Street on Saturday morning, and on the corner of Karel Krause and Schlebusch Street on Sunday.

René Steyn, DA chief whip, says burst pipes and leaking infrastructure have been left unattended for years across the town.

“What started as isolated leaks have now become permanent rivers running through our streets,” Steyn says.

At the Magistrates’ Court in Heeren Street, a leaking valve has poured thousands of litres of water into the road for weeks.

What started as isolated leaks have now become permanent rivers running through our streets – Steyn

“Councillors report leaks, areas without water, leaking valves, damaged infrastructure and faulty meters. Yet the same issues remain unresolved for months and years while residents are left to suffer the consequences,” Steyn says.

Estelle Dansey, DA councillor from Odendaalsrus, says a significant portion of the town’s water supply has been lost through leaks before reaching consumers. Harmony Gold Mine partnered with the municipality to repair several leaks along the Phakisa pipeline.

“Residents argue that the responsibility of maintaining water infrastructure and ensuring reliable water supply rests with the municipality, particularly as consumers continue to pay for services,” Dansey says.

Over the past two years, more than five homes have been destroyed by fires in Odendaalsrus. Community members said the lack of available water for firefighting operations contributed to the severity of the incidents.

Bleeding valves and fire hydrants have reportedly been left running continuously for over 105 days, resulting in the loss of clean drinking water – Du Plessis

Hansie du Plessis, DA councillor, said water leakages and infrastructure failures in Virginia have remained unattended for periods ranging from several weeks to more than 100 days.

“Bleeding valves and fire hydrants have reportedly been left running continuously for over 105 days, resulting in the loss of clean drinking water,” Du Plessis says.

Residents have been instructed to purchase their own valves because the municipality cannot provide the necessary materials.

“The electrical and water departments are currently forced to share a single TLB, making effective service delivery nearly impossible.”

Residents are calling for urgent intervention, sustainable maintenance programmes and greater accountability to ensure reliable access to water.