In a bid to preserve water, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has embarked on a programme to repair water leaks to curb water wastage.
According to the Water Demand Management Analysis, about 43 000 residential areas in Tsakane, Langaville and Geluksdal have high volumes of water wastage.
The municipality‘s Water Conservation Leak Repair Project is currently underway in these areas and the project is expected to run until January 2016.
The repair work involves conducting leak-free tests on each property, fixing or replacing leaking plumbing items such as toilet cisterns and the associated pipework.
“This includes the refurbishment of underground pipes and yard connections, fixing sink taps, baths, showers, outdoor taps, condition rating of underground pipes, and the installation of meters on properties,” said the spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), Mr Themba Gadebe.
About 27 schools in Tsakane, Langaville and Geluksdal will also have their leaks repaired.
The project is community-based and labour intensive, in line with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) principles, which means locals will receive employment opportunities.
The project will result in the creation of 377 jobs in the fields of plumbing, general work, community liaison officers, community facilitator supervisors, community facilitators and quality controllers.
The workers will be clearly identifiable by their EPWP orange work suits and some will be wearing reflective vests bearing the Ekurhuleni logo.
The leak repair project is taking place in partnership with Water Affairs, Public Works and Rand Water.
