ALLDAYS - Efforts to resolve the continued water crisis of the town have bogged down in a quagmire of technical negotiations about the proposed new pipeline, which was to have been completed two years ago.

Work on the pipeline which, according to a new official undertaking, would have been completed by November last year, has not even started yet.

After the pipeline project was announced and the tender of the project had already been allocated, it was discovered that the proposed pipeline and the necessary servitudes have not been discussed or negotiated with the owners of the two farms involved in the project. The owners of these two farms now have serious objections against the proposed project.

New emergency measures are now being considered to supply two new residential developments with water for one hour a day, while complicated negotiations get underway to resolve the legal problems in the way of the original pipeline plan.

Plans are afoot to fix water taps to the reticulated new residential extensions which are to be temporarily connected to the water supply at the taxi rank. Residents from the new residential areas have, up to now, had to collect their daily supply of water by wheelbarrow or rolling drums from the taxi rank. Carting the water across the main road to their homes implies a tedious task and creates a dangerous situation.

The emergency link-up with the taxi rank could temporally alleviate the plight of these residents. This emergency measure is expected to get the green light during discussions planned for this week.

In the meantime, the rest of the town is still plagued by continuous serious water shortages. Water theft from private emergency supplies at the clinic and elsewhere creates tension.

At least one resident of the town has requested the municipality to remove the water meter from his premises to avoid a monthly municipal account for water that he does not receive.