Residents of Koppies continue to suffer a severe and ongoing water crisis, prompting the DA in the Ngwathe Local Municipality to demand immediate intervention, clarity and accountability from local authorities.
Over several days, households have faced having to cope with little to no water, with many receiving only 30 minutes’ to an hour’s supply per day, at very low pressure.
The situation has deteriorated since 21 November, and concerns about water quality have escalated as residents report dirty, unsafe water flowing from taps. Although the network was briefly opened, the water supply was reduced or shut down again within an hour, leaving many without basic access once more.
Carina Serfontein, DA councilor in Ngwathe, has outlined a set of urgent actions requested, aimed at addressing the crisis and ensuring transparency and accountability:
- A formal escalation request to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to ensure technical attention and higher-level support.
- Ongoing monitoring of the water supply cycle to document patterns of supply, quality, pressure issues and network shut-offs.
- Consolidation of community reports to ensure accurate, real-time information is communicated to officials and oversight bodies.
- A request for a complete technical assessment of pumps, pipelines, reservoir levels and operational procedures.
“Koppies residents have the right to consistent, safe and dignified access to water,” says Serfontein. “Access to clean, reliable water is a fundamental human right.”
The party called on both the municipal manager and the DWS to act without delay to restore stability and secure sustainable long-term solutions.
