Louis Trichardt residents know this scenario all too well - hot weather and a complete absence of household water, which do not make for pleasant living.
If residents were irritated on Monday when the water supply started to dwindle (for the umpteenth time this year), they were fuming by Tuesday when taps ran completely dry. On Tuesday morning,several people were spotted transporting makeshift containers filled with water.
Communicating with the Vhembe District Municipality also remains a maddening experience. What is even more frustrating is that little to no advance warning is given about water shortages, and when there is a water shortage, the VDM (Vhembe District Municipality) simply remains mute.
"There is a burst pipe at Albasini Dam, which is being repaired," was the only response the newspaper got from the VDM when enquiring about the new shortage on Tuesday. There was no indication of how long the taps will remain dry or where residents can get emergency water supply.
The town's latest water shortage also did not bode well for the forthcoming hot summer holidays. According to local DA ward councillor Mr Brian du Plooy, it would seem that the pipe had already ruptured over the weekend. The leak apparently went undetected for the whole weekend, hence the water supply started to dry up.
"Sometimes, it prompts one to think that the residents of Louis Trichardt are getting punished for some undeclared reasons," wrote resident Mr Elton Makhadi to councillor Du Plooy on the Louis Trichardt Water Shedding Facebook page. "It's really sad what we have been going through for the past six years. What have we done to deserve this humiliating unconstitutional treatment?" Makhadi wanted to know.
Makhadi further pointed out that the supply of water must no longer be a top priority for the VDM, even though it was promised as such by Mayor Florence Radzilani during her inaugural speech. "But it seems not to be the case for residents of this town. Maybe we are undesirable. We are treated like we are not human beings. It hurts so bad," Makhadi wrote.
To add insult to injury this week, repairs to the leak were delayed when the VDM had to scramble to first find, and then appoint, a contractor to do the work. It was only by late Tuesday afternoon that the leak was repaired to such an extent that the municipality could start pumping water again.