Residents at a social housing estate in Perth have become so desperate for water, some have been forced to drink from bird baths.
Renters at Beaconsfield estate accused the WA government of leaving them in a growing health crisis after weeks of water suppply problems.
They said they can’t shower, flush the toilet, wash dishes or clothes because they’ve been left with no running water and have had to fill up buckets and kettles from an outside tap after a pipe recently burst, according to 9News.
Many, like Ian Fegan. said they’re at breaking point.
“Living like hell,” he told 9News.
Laurence Mather said his toilet is starting to fill up because he can’t flush it.
“I can’t have a shower, there’s absolutely no water supply now,” he said.
The problem has been going on for at least a month and worsened on Friday when a pipe burst at night, cutting off water to flats entirely, according to residents.
“So I came out at 5am and there was a resident drinking from the bird bucket over here,” Mr Mather said.
“There’s a family with kids here with kids as well,” Mr Fegan said.
The state government said staff resolved a water pressure issue earlier this week. Contactors were called out again on Saturday afternoon after complaints from residents continued.
The complex on Lefroy Road is tipped to be knocked down within a year as part of a re-development plan for the Beaconsfield area.
Residents are now asking for emergency accommodation.
“If they can’t make things happen, and they’re leaving their tenants in animal like conditions right, third world conditions, then they must have some legal obligation to relocate people,” Mr Mather said.
A state government spokesperson said: “Contractors have regularly attended the complexes to rectify intermittent water pressure issues and identified leaks over the past month.
“This includes having contractors on site early this week and on Saturday, where they advised the flow issues had been rectified.
“However, new leaks have emerged in one building, and contractors are currently on site to fix the water flow.
“These complexes are 55 years old and are nearing end of life. That is why the complexes have been earmarked for future redevelopment as part of a major urban renewal project.
“The Department of Housing and Works (DWH) is looking at solutions to ensure consistent water supply in the interim.
“In the meantime, as a priority, DHW will be delivering bottled water for impacted residents.”
The spokesperson said the DHW manages approximately 250,000 maintenance work orders each year across its 45,000 properties.
In March, a burst water main at West Ryde pumping station left 250,000 households with the potential of no water.
The incident effectively strangled the water supply to a vast area of Sydney stretching from Mosman to Rydalmere and north to St Ives, encompassing the entire upper and lower north shore and northern beaches.
Read related topics:Perth