ALICEDALE, Eastern Cape — The escalating Alicedale water crisis has left municipal taps completely dry for two weeks following the breakdown of the town’s second supply pump, severely disrupting local schools, halting construction projects, and straining vulnerable residents in the Eastern Cape.
Residents note that water supply issues have plagued the town for the past decade. Previously, the Makana Local Municipality managed an intermittent supply by relying on a single functioning pump out of two. However, the situation reached a critical point two weeks ago when the remaining operational pump broke down, cutting off the primary water source to the small town.
The shortage has created severe hardships for locals, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities. Nora Bana, a 73-year-old resident and spokesperson for her household, highlighted the daily struggles of caring for her grandchild, who lives with a disability. Bana, who has lived in Alicedale for five years, explained that she is unable to fetch water from the municipality’s street tanks because she cannot leave her grandchild unattended.
Consequently, basic hygiene and sanitation are compromised. “I have a sick child. He has to bathe and eat, and even the toilet can’t be flushed,” Bana stated, emphasizing the impossibility of leaving the child alone to collect water from the communal tanks.
The ripple effects of the shortage extend far beyond individual households, severely impacting local education and economic development. A representative from a local school reported that the lack of water has forced the early dismissal of learners. The school relies on a municipal water truck that arrives only about once a week, leaving the facility without sufficient water for the rest of the days and causing significant disruptions to the academic schedule.
Similarly, local construction projects have faced severe delays. A site manager explained that mixing construction materials requires substantial water usage. Without a reliable supply, workers are frequently forced to wait for municipal water trucks or are sent home entirely, stalling development and costing workers their daily wages.
In response to the growing crisis, Anele Mjekula a spokesperson for the Makana municipality confirmed that a new pump has been procured and the supplier has been fully paid. The replacement pump is expected to be delivered to Alicedale next week.
Once the equipment arrives, municipal artisans and technicians will immediately install and test it. Following successful testing, pumping to the KwaNonzwakazi Reservoir will resume, restoring the town’s water pressure. In the interim, the municipality has deployed water tanks to the streets to provide temporary relief to the affected community while residents await a permanent fix.
