Better Bedfordview addresses urgent water leak crisis
“Better Bedfordview and our community have had enough of the water leaks in our area.”
Marina Constas, a Bedfordview resident and chairperson of the non-political and registered NPO Better Bedfordview, raised a stern voice against the constant water leaks plaguing the area.
The NPO, backed by residents and local businesses, is dedicated to restoring, maintaining, and enhancing Bedfordview.
Constas spared no words in conveying her frustration, asserting, “Bedfordview is leaking like a sieve”,
She underlined the pressing need for swift intervention from the CoE.
“Better Bedfordview and our community have had enough of the water leaks in our area. We want to see urgent action from the CoE, or Better Bedfordview will take matters into its own hands.
“Better Bedfordview has met with a private contractor experienced in working on private and municipal pipelines,” said Constas.
She said Better Bedfordview intended to engage the company to do a full assessment of the leaks in Bedfordview and, thereafter, to start repairing them.
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The magnitude of water wastage, particularly in a country grappling with water scarcity, troubled Constas and the community.
She lamented the municipality’s “disregard” for the enormous waste of water.
“The water leaks are also damaging our roads. It appears that the safety of road users is not a priority for the municipality.”
The NPO asked residents to contribute their observations on the water leaks, with many promptly sharing instances of persistent leaks throughout the area.
These reports encompassed leaks on Angus, Shannon, School, Harper, Talisman, and Van der Linde roads.
There were several unresolved incidents, such as the water issue at G-Fleet Management on Boeing Road East and the two-year leak on Hawley Road.
“We are compiling a detailed list of the leaks, and our records show water leaks in the roads cited by residents who wrote to us, as well as in Roberts, Kloof, Souvenir and Van Buuren roads, and Skeen Boulevard.
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“These were all reported to the CoE, and we have reference numbers. However, repeated emails, complaints, reports and appeals to the municipality from Better Bedfordview and our community fall on deaf ears, and the buck is just passed from one disinterested public servant at the CoE to another,” she said.
The NPO rallied the community to join forces in addressing the pressing concern.
Constas invited residents and local businesses, urging them to voice their support by emailing info@betterbedfordview.org.za
The CoE spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, said the following regarding the comments made by the Better Bedfordview chairperson.
“The CoE wishes to assure its residents of its commitment to conserve water. We will repair all leaks in the Bedfordview area as soon as possible.
“The city will convene a task team to repair long-outstanding leaks in the Bedfordview area.
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“We will start with the streets mentioned by Better Bedfordview and will measure progress closely.
“The city will further accelerate the progress by appointing a water repair contractor. Their appointment is expected in the following month.
“The city appointed metering contractors, and the site handover should happen next week. The city will deploy more teams to address the challenges in the Bedfordview area and city-wide.”
