The City of Ekurhuleni said that a minor leak resulted in a delay of pipeline repairs on Riley Road, Bedfordview.
The May 12 edition of the NEWS reported that the unfinished water pipeline repair on Riley Road posed a safety hazard for motorists, pedestrians and customers of Sasol Riley Road.
According to ward councillor for the area Jill Humphreys, the pipe burst at the beginning of March.
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“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 was 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 reinstated.
In response, the spokesperson for the City, Zweli Dlamini, said the issues were in the process of being fully resolved.
“The burst water pipe has been repaired and the pressure control valves have been repaired and serviced,” he said.
Dlamini added that the team was tasked to backfill the excavation after the repairs found a minor leak and as a result of this “the excavation could not be closed. The City officials will repair this leak shortly.”
He said that there were no further issues with the water pressure in the pipeline.
“Water pressure is now controlled and the water network is now functioning at the correct water pressure level.”
Dlamini said that excessive water pressures can cause a pipe to burst if it is not designed to operate outside certain pressure ranges.
He added that the City would investigate complaints of low water pressure and will make adjustments accordingly.
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