WATER SUPPLY AT INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS A PRIORITY

Residents in the City of Ekurhuleni’s informal settlements can rest assured that they will not run out of water during this crucial period of the 21-day lockdown. The National Department of Water and Sanitation has given the City’s water supply services a shot in the arm by providing additional water storage tanks where they are needed most. A total of 76 2500 litre tanks will be delivered and distributed to 14 informal settlements that have been prioritised, according to the availability of water supply infrastructure where they are located. Four water tanker trucks – two 16 000 litre and two 26 000 litre - have also been supplied to increase the City’s capacity to fill tanks regularly. This comes after the Minister for Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, committed that her department will increase access to water to enable all citizens to practice good hygiene. The frequently washing of hands has been touted as the most important activity that can prevent one from being infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus, and curb the spread of the virus. “The City of Ekurhuleni welcomes the intervention from national government at this critical time. This donation will augment the services we provide in the most vulnerable communities, allowing residents a chance of survival from the coronavirus,” said MMC for Water and Sanitation, Tiisetso Nketle. Another measure that the City has implemented in informal settlements is increasing the frequency of draining and cleaning chemical toilets. Nketle said her Department has suspended all planned water supply interruptions and is ready to attend to burst pipes and sewer blockages for the duration of the lockdown.