Cape Town - At least 26 towns in the Free State are facing a water crisis, the DA said on Tuesday.
“At least 26 towns... currently have no water at all in certain areas, water supply disruptions, or extremely unhygienic water coming from their taps,” Democratic Alliance provincial leader Patricia Kopane said in a statement.
A survey, conducted by DA representatives, found the problems were mainly due to “dilapidated” water treatment plants and pipes. Some dams in the region had also run dry.
The Free State's water affairs department was not immediately available for comment.
Kopane said the towns identified in the party's survey were Jacobsdal, Fauresmith, Trompsburg, Bethulie, Smithfield, Zastron, Wepener, Dewetsdorp, Dealesville, Brandfort, Theunissen, Winburg, Soutpan, Tweespruit, Marquard, Clocolan, Steynsrus, Fouriesburg, Memel, Warden, Petrus Steyn, Lindley, Parys, Koppies, Vredefort, and Oranjeville.
She said in the Letsemeng, Mohokare, Dihlabeng, Phumelela, and Ngwathe municipalities, residents had no adequate water supply “because of poor water management and lack of maintenance”.
In the Naledi and Mantsopa, Metsimaholo, Setsoto and Nketoana and Masilonyane municipalities, problems varied “from undrinkable water to dams that are completely dry”.
Kopane said she sent a formal demand to co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Olly Mlamleli on Tuesday, urging her to provide a plan to resolve the crisis. - Sapa