An unfinished water pipeline repair on Riley Road is posing a safety hazard for motorists and pedestrians. According to ward councillor Jill Humphreys, the pipe burst at the beginning of March.
“A team was sent out to repair it and for two weeks residents in the surrounding area had an intermittent water supply.”
Humphreys said that there had been confusion about the valves that were replaced and the pressure at which they could operate.
“The moment the water was turned on there would be another burst. Eventually, a valve specialist was called in and it was determined that the valve could only be opened at reduce pressure,” she said.
With the valve and pipeline running at reduced pressure, Humphreys is constantly inundated with complaints from residents of low to no water pressure at the properties fed by the line. In addition, the roughly two metre-deep hole has not been filled.
“The excavation is right in front of the Sasol garage and it looks a mess”.
Tony Cimato, the owner of the property, told the NEWS that the unfinished repair was a safety hazard for a trading business.
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“We constantly have parents with young children coming through here. It’s been six weeks,’ he said
Frustrated at the incomplete work, Cimato called in the services of his own specialist to complete the repair at his own cost.
“During the initial inspection, I was told the repair was done badly and was still incomplete. I cannot leave it like that,” he said. “I pay rates and taxes and know that everything can’t always go smoothly but half the time anyone arrives for the repair they don’t have the right equipment. It’s shocking and I’m sick and tired of paying for services I just don’t get,” he said.
The NEWS sent an enquiry for comment to the City of Ekurhuleni’s media department on Wednesday morning last week.
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