WASA really serious about saving water?

THE EDITOR: Last week a huge leak sprung up in the middle of Rosalino Street in Woodbrook. Large streams of potable water were gushing onto the road and wasting, not a pretty sight in a time of drought.

Not quite sure if the residents around that area had made a report, I took it upon myself to call WASA. On three separate tries to 800-LEAK I was caller #14, #18 and #17 and such long periods of time elapsed while I was on hold, I gave up in frustration each time and hung up.

But while on hold an ad played repeatedly that one could use WASA’s mobile app and report the incident as well.

I downloaded the app and tried to make a report. Seems that one could not just leave a note or a location, one had to physically be at the leak to so do. Then, while there one had to take a photo within the app so they could geotag it and locate the leak promptly. Technology boy, sounding great!

I made that report more than five days ago and was advised by robotic e-mail that a report had already been received before mine’s.

Sadly, up to Tuesday the water was still gushing out of the broken main, washing away into the storm drains on Wrightson Road – while friends of mine have had none in their taps for weeks.

And WASA trucks drive up and down that road every day, obviously never having been given a work order, and because of “rules” cannot do anything about the leak. Seriously, WASA?

Technology can only go so far, WASA. Sometimes a human brain is needed to get things done.

SPENCER BENEDICT, Woodbrook