eThekwini touts progress, but many still rely on water tankers
However, it admits there are still communities severely affected by the water supply crisis. Non-revenue water remains high, at nearly 60%, costing the municipality R4 billion in two years.
READ: eThekwini residents ask SAHRC to investigate water outages
In the south of Durban, Burlington residents believe the municipality is not doing nearly enough to ease their hardship.
Fresh water leaks for days on end from burst pipes while nothing comes out of the residents' taps. More than 7,300 leaks have been recorded in the south alone.
READ: eThekwini to cut water tanker outsourcing
Residents say the frequent closure and opening of valves as the City manages supply has further weakened the old supply network.
Communities are calling for urgent investment in modern infrastructure to replace leaking pipes. eNCA's Zanele Buthelezi reports.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
3 days ago
- eNCA
Roedean Senior School's head, Phuti Mogale pens letter to younger self
JOHANNESBURG - From the dusty streets of Alexandra to heading one of South Africa's most sought after schools. Roedean SA has appointed Phuti Mogale as the head of its senior school. This historic appointment makes her the first black woman to lead the prestigious girls' high school since its founding in 1903. Mogale's appointment comes amid a national debate on representation at former Model C and private schools, where many argue that a lack of diversity hinders true transformation. This women's month eNCA honours trailblazers like Mogale who penned a letter to their younger selves.
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Electric blankets vs fan heaters: Which is better for your wallet?
We look into the costs of 'phantom' power and how much your electric blanket and fan heaters are costing you. Image: IOL As South Africans experience more cold fronts and severe weather, many households are grappling with rising electricity bills. Local energy expert, Wes Reddy, has taken to TikTok to shed light on how various household appliances can cause dents in your wallet, offering insights and tips on how to help consumers save money. His series of educational videos, often featuring practical tests and direct advice, has garnered traction from South Africans struggling with energy costs. The hidden drain of tiny heaters One of the most noteworthy revelations from Reddy's recent uploads shows the surprising expense of small fan heaters. Reddy explained that tiny heaters consume approximately 2000 watts. If used for just one hour each day, they will use 2 units of electricity. At a rate of R4 per unit, this amounts to around R240 per month. If you leave the heater on for four hours daily, the cost escalates to R960 per month. Extending usage to six hours a day could result in a staggering and eye-watering R1440 monthly expense. Viewer comments further emphasise this issue, with one user remarking that R960 could instead purchase "a few extra blankets," a sentiment that Reddy agreed with. Are electric blankets a good alternative for being warm? But are electric blankets a warmer and cheaper alternative? In contrast to the expensive fan heaters, electric blankets present a more energy-efficient option for keeping warm. Reddy's video, "Electric Blanket Power Use: What It Really Costs You!", looks into the actual costs associated with using these blankets. Electric blankets consume approximately 60 watts per hour, equating to 0.06 units of electricity. At a rate of R4 per unit, this translates to just 24 cents per hour. So if you use your electric blanket throughout the night, the total cost amounts to only R1.92 per day, which adds up to R57.60 per month. Chargers and 'phantom power' Another common misconception is whether chargers consume power when not in use. Reddy's video, "Do Chargers Use Power When Not in Use?", explores the concept of "phantom power." To investigate, Reddy plugged in three different cellphone chargers and a laptop charger, but ensured they were not connected to any devices. When cellphone chargers are plugged in but not actively charging, they consume no power at all. However, the laptop charger draws 0.03 amps at 230V, equating to 7 watts of power while idle. If this charger remains plugged in for 22 hours without use, it results in an unnecessary expense of R18 per month—simply for not unplugging it. IOL
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Tshwane resident fights for power after eight days
After 60 calls, 50 escalations, and R4 000 in fuel, a Tshwane family finally gets power back after a frustrating eight-day outage. It took a Tshwane resident more than 60 calls, more than 50 escalations and more than 20 e-mails to get her power back on and more than R4 000 in fuel to survive for the week. Rietondale resident Corne Marx said after eight days, her 82-year-old mother and 77-year-old husband could take a hot bath without her having to boil water on a gas stove. 'I am very grateful,' she said. 60 calls, 50 escalations and R4 000 in fuel Marx said she was still stunned that it took more than 60 calls, more than 50 escalations, more than 20 e-mails, more than R4 000 in fuel and all the related losses, such as time she couldn't work, for Tshwane to fix something that was so simple. Marx said she had phoned every number available and sent multiple e-mails to report the recurring power trip at only her house on Morrison Avenue, which was finally fixed with some isolation tape and the shortening of a wire yesterday afternoon. ALSO READ: Eskom enforces twice-daily load reduction schedule in Cape Town this week When Marx's power went off last week Tuesday, she reported it immediately to the city. 'Later that afternoon, when I phoned again, they said there wasn't a reference number, only to show up on Wednesday afternoon and change a switch before leaving without checking if the power was on. 'It wasn't even five minutes later and the power tripped again. We even tried to chase after them, but couldn't catch them. We immediately reported the power trip and phoned again,' she said. Power went off last Tuesday Last Thursday morning, they copied to her all the e-mails sent to the department's officials to escalate the issue. 'When they eventually returned the next afternoon, they said it was a problem with a loose wire in the circuit breaker. ALSO READ: These City Power supplied areas will be without electricity this week 'Again, the power was on for 15 minutes and tripped again. I even made them coffee and asked that they stay a little longer to make sure the power stayed on. They had hardly left when the power went off again,' she said. Marx reported the outage three times a day, only to hear the complaint had been escalated while they remained without power. 'On Friday around 8pm, I phoned them again and I was told that the job had been allocated and would happen the same night. Needless to say, they didn't pitch. Saturday, I phoned again, with no luck,' she said. R3 500 on petrol for geyser Marx said her mother also phoned to report the power outage and waited for them on the pavement after they said they were on their way, but did not show up. 'We have spent about R3 500 on petrol for the geyser. With my elderly parents it is a sad situation,' she said. ALSO READ: Here's Gauteng's load reduction schedule for the rest of July Rietondale ward councillor Anru Meyer said a single power interruption took an incredibly long time to be restored and had noticed it could take anything between six and 10 days for power to be restored. Meyer said he lodged the complaints with the city every day and also received no feedback. 'Just noted,' he said. The City of Tshwane had not responded in time for publication saying it was waiting for the relevant department to respond.
