Athlone Park residents collecting water from the municipal tankers.
Image: Supplied
Residents of Athlone Park say they are at their breaking point after enduring more than 12 days without water, claiming the crisis has persisted intermittently since the 2022 floods.
Community members, particularly the elderly, have been severely affected because they rely on water tankers and collection points for their daily needs.
Rishane Rajkoomar, Chairperson of the Athlone Park CPF sub-forum, said the community had battled recurring water disruptions for years, leaving some roads frequently completely dry.
“There have been intermittent water issues in the area, as well as no water for some people on certain roads. The water issue did not just start now. It has been going on for a few years, especially since the 2022 flooding,” said Rajkoomar.
He said Community Police Forum officers often assisted by escorting water tankers through the area at night to ensure the water safely reached residents.
“The CPF officers patrol the area with the tankers to dispatch the water and help residents, but not everyone gets water. There are 61 roads in the area, so it is difficult to go to every road. We have distribution points and contact residents to come to one area to collect water,” he said.
Rajkoomar added that the situation was especially difficult for elderly residents who struggled to fetch water.
“It is sad because we have a lot of elderly people in the area, so we either gather water for them or bring water to distribution points,” he said.
According to Rajkoomar, the area’s infrastructure problems contributed significantly to the ongoing crisis.
“Our reserves are not enough to service the whole area. The pumps are tripping and the tower does not fill, so those who get water from the towers do not receive water. If the reservoir is only partially full before the towers fill, then no water goes into the towers."
He said residents living in lower-lying areas sometimes received limited water directly from the reservoir, while those in higher areas are left without supply for extended periods.
“I live on a Little Road, but those who live on Hudd Road and onwards always have water issues."
Resident Sheila Govender, 64, a real estate agent from Booth Road, said the intermittent disruptions have now escalated into a full-scale crisis.
“The water issues started as intermittent in the beginning and now have become a full-scale water issue where we have had no water for more than 12 days,” said Govender.
Govender said residents attempted to seek answers directly from officials at the reservoir but were left frustrated by the lack of communication.
“We went to speak to those at the reservoir and they said there was a problem with the water pumping system. If the water is not enough, then the rest of us cannot get water."
She explained that residents who rely on water supplied through the tower system are the hardest hit.
“Sometimes the low-level residents will have water, but the rest of us will not because the tower has no water,” Govender said.
According to Govender, a real estate agent, the prolonged outages have also affected property values in the area.
“The water issues for the past few years have affected those who want to buy into the area. No one wants to move here,” she said.
Govender added that caring for her 97-year-old father without running water had become increasingly difficult.
“My dad is 97 years old and it is so difficult for him not to have water. I also watch my neighbours and other residents. They have to carry buckets of water around, and our area has a lot of older people which makes it very difficult for them,” she said.
Residents say the lack of updates and communication from authorities added to their frustration.
“We had a meeting at the reservoir one Monday, but there was nobody there to help us or give us answers. The problem is that there are no updates. We are just sitting in the dark waiting for someone to help."
Having lived in the area for over three decades, Govender said the ongoing water crisis had changed how residents felt about the community they once loved.
“I was happy living here before, but now not so much. I have lived here for the past 32 years but now there are too many issues,” she said.