Premier apologises as Perth residents resort to drinking water from bird baths

The West Australian premier has apologised as residents at a social housing complex in Perth’s south-west claim they’re so desperate for water, some have resorted to drinking from bird baths.

They’re accusing the WA government of leaving them in a growing health crisis after weeks of water problems.

The Beaconsfield residents can’t shower, flush the toilet, wash dishes or clothes because they have no running water.

They’re left to fill up buckets and kettles from an outside tap after a pipe burst in their latest water saga.

These social housing residents on Lefroy Road are at breaking point, saying they’re living among a health hazard.

“Living like hell,” Ian Fegan told 9News.

“I mean everyone’s starting to smell and all that.”

Taps carry barely trickling water for the 13 residents, some who have complex health problems.

They told 9News they couldn’t carry out basic human needs.

“My toilet is starting to fill up now because I can’t flush the toilet,” Laurence Mather told 9News.

“I can’t have a shower, there’s absolutely no water supply now.”

Premier Roger Cook today said the infrastructure in the area was old and there appeared to be a leakage problem.

“We apologise for the inconvenience for these tenants,” he said.

Residents were told on Sunday that they would be supplied with bottled water.

The news came after a month of low water pressure at the complex before a pipe burst on Friday night, cutting off water to their flats entirely.

“So I came out at 5am and there was a resident drinking from the bird bucket over here,” Mather said.

“There’s a family with kids here with kids as well,” Fegan said.

“I mean I feel sorry for the kids.”

The state government said department staff resolved a water pressure issue earlier this week with contractors called out again on Saturday afternoon to investigate why the problem wasn’t resolved.

The housing is slated to be demolished within the next 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,” Mather said.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas indicated the pressure was on Water Minister and Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Exploration Daniel Pastorelli.

“There’s a new water minister, he also is the new mines and petroleum minister,” Zempilas said, before referencing Thursday’s strike at BHP’s Port Hedland terminal.

“He failed his first test last week, let’s see how he goes on this.”