The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) does not know the cause of the pipe burst which left residents without water in the beginning of 2020.
The NEWS reported in the January 15 edition, “Residents start new year without water”, that central Bedfordview residents had no water due to a pipe burst on December 31.
Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys said the residents were left without water until January 2.
CoE spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the city received the notification of a pipe burst on December 31, 2019, leaving Bedfordview east of the N3 freeway with no water.
He said the pipe on the corner of Kings and Kloof Road burst on two occasions.
“The original cause of the burst is not known.
“The cause of the second burst was a combination of the age of the pipeline with change in pressure while opening the water supply after the first repair,” said Gadebe.
Water tankers were placed at Bowling Road, as well as at Virgin Active in Van Buuren Road, said Gadebe.
Gadebe said the team was provided with the proper materials to fix the problem, although it took time to source the required material.
He affirms turnaround time on such matters is dependent on the type of complaint and the severity and can be between six hours and 48 hours.
On the matter of valves not being turned on in order for water to return to residents, as mentioned by Humphreys, Gadebe said the valve was turned on.
“Some valves had to be throttled at first to fill the system slowly without causing further bursts due to water hammer and excessive air in the pipes,” said Gadebe.
