Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Nico De Jager MPL
Thousands of residents in Valley Road, Clinic Road, Mountain View Road, and the Plot 10 Informal Settlement in Muldersdrift continue to experience intermittent water supply daily. These ongoing disruptions point to growing pressure on an already constrained bulk water system serving a rapidly developing area.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng has received numerous complaints from affected residents, farmers and local businesses, who report persistent low water pressure and extended periods without supply, particularly during peak summer months. These challenges highlight the need for urgent coordination and infrastructure planning to ensure that water resources are managed fairly and sustainably for all users.
Recent development in the area, including the opening of the Happy Island waterpark, has brought welcome economic activity, job creation and recreational opportunities to the region. However, it has also increased demand on infrastructure that was never designed to support such levels of usage. It is therefore essential that bulk supply systems, reticulation networks and alternative water sources are carefully assessed and upgraded in line with development.
Residents report that water pressure often drops significantly from early morning until late afternoon, leaving households, farms and businesses struggling to meet their daily needs. There are also concerns that historical over-reliance on underground water may have contributed to declining borehole yields, forcing many properties to switch to municipal supply.
The DA Gauteng will table questions to the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to establish whether he is fully aware of the current situation in Muldersdrift, what interventions are planned, and how coordination between provincial departments, municipalities and developers is being strengthened. We will also request that the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) urgently investigate the status of underground water resources in the area to guide sustainable future use.
We firmly believe that this situation can be resolved through proper planning, infrastructure investment and cooperative engagement between government, residents, farmers and businesses. A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would prioritise proactive infrastructure upgrades and explore solutions such as a dedicated supply line for high-demand developments, ensuring that economic growth does not compromise household access to basic services.
Access to a reliable water supply is fundamental to dignity, health, and economic activity. Residents who faithfully pay their rates and taxes deserve consistent service delivery, while businesses that operate responsibly and with the necessary approvals should be enabled to thrive. Fairness, balance and long-term planning must guide how limited water resources are managed in fast-growing communities such as Muldersdrift.