Water leak finally addressed
"It was so embarrassing. Some people knew us as the house with the water problem,"
The water leak on Sixteenth Avenue in Edenvale, which has provided a steady trickle of water down the road, has finally received attention from the City of Ekurhuleni.
The NEWS reported in October last year that the leak has been a concern for community members for a number of years.
The City of Ekurhuleni has since started work on repairing the leak.
One of the challenges which hindered the progress on fixing the leak was whether or not the water seeping onto the pavement was municipal or groundwater.
According to Clr Heather Hart of ward 18, the municipality dug exploratory inspection holes on the pavement to determine what needs to be done.
In one of the three holes dug, a damaged water line was found.
Clr Hart said the broken pipe needed to be attended to before it could be determined whether the water leaking onto the road is municipal or ground water.
She said it is planned that a new water line will be installed below the pavement surface.
Mrs Catherine Donnelly, who lives at the property and whose pavement was affected, said she has had endless hassles with the water leak on the pavement since 2007.
Mrs Donelly said the pavement used to be nice and well kept but since the water leak the pavement had deteriorated.
“The water on the pavement and the wet soil just made maintaining the garden difficult. It was so disheartening to see the pavement deteriorate,” said Mrs Donelly.
Mrs Donelly said at times parts of the pavement developed into a muddy pond.
Over the years the Donelly’s pavement became an eyesore for the community.
“It was so embarrassing. Some people knew us as the house with the water problem,” said Mrs Donelly.
Mrs Donelly is thankful the metro is attending to the leak.
Mrs Donelly said the amount of water leaking onto the road has become marginally less over the years.
Clr Hart questioned how many litres of water have been wasted because of this leak.
The NEWS sent an inquiry to the EMM’s communication department with questions, including when repair work will be concluded.
Comment was requested by February 17 at 3pm.
At the time of going to print no comment had been received.
