St Barb's resident wants water after 2 weeks

Residents of St Barb's, Belmont, have been promised a truck-borne supply and a permanent solution to their longstanding water problem.

On Monday St Barb's resident Joel Latiff contacted Newsday asking for WASA and government officials to provide water to the area after going two weeks with any.

Latiff said he grew up in St Barb's and even back then, there were water supply issues.

“Fifty-three years later and we still have water issues. I have clothes packing up, I can’t cook or do anything because I have no water.”

He explained that within the last weeks only a few areas in St Barb's have not received water.

“I know they can fix the problem because it’s not like the entire area isn’t getting water, it’s only certain parts. They need to find what is stopping the water from getting to the residents in these parts of St Barb's and fix it for good.”

Latiff said he is beyond frustrated, as talks with councillor for the area Nicole Young and WASA officials have not brought any relief.

“With what’s happening now, I expect a Christmas without water. Last year's Christmas we had none and I don’t expect this year to be different.

"And the funny thing is we got water every day in the month leading up to the election. As soon as election done, the week after, water gone.”

He described the situation as unfair to the residents, who, like everyone else in the area, continue to pay their water bill.

“Plus we have this covid19 going around. It is important for us to keep ourselves and our surroundings clean, but without water how can we do this?”

Contacted for comment, Young said a request has been made for a supply of truck-borne water for affected residents, to arrive as soon as possible.

Young, who said she is in contact with WASA about it, told Newsday WASA was investigating why people in the area continued to go for weeks without water.