Metro plans to reduce leaks by replacing old piping

A plan to reduce water loss through leaks in Ekurhuleni, which came to 30.6 per cent of the metro’s water from July 2015 to June 2016, will replace and upgrade the city’s aging infrastructure.

Kenboy Makeka (first response), from the Ekurhuleni Metro's water department, at the spot where water gushed out in Farrar Street, on September 2. He said it was overflow due to the nearby water tower being too full.

The project, called Quantum Leap, has started in Germiston and will endeavour to have replaced all Ekurhuleni’s old water pipes within the next five years.

This is according to Clr Tiisetso Nketle, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for water and sanitation.

“Until that time we are using pressure management, to relieve the pressure on pipes which cannot handle it,” she said.

“More staff has been placed on standby and we will increase overtime work, to minimise the turnaround time for response to water leaks and burst pipes.

“Council’s resolution with the water restrictions, is to respond to water leaks within six hours of the report made.”

Nketle explained this doesn’t mean the leak will be repaired within that time, but a team will be on site and the water supply to the pipe will be closed, to prevent further loss.

Clr Tiisetso Nketle, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for water, sanitation and energy.

Clr Haseena Ismail (Ward 29) said: “The metro is the main waster of water; leaks run for too long. There is no proper maintenance on water pipes.”

Her sentiment was shared by Clr Malanie Haggard (Ward 28) and Clr André du Plessis (Ward 23).

Du Plessis said turnaround time to repair water leaks and burst pipes, should be no more than three hours.

Haggard said: “The infrastructure in Benoni is very old and needs to be urgently renewed.”

“We receive calls of burst pipes every day, then there is clean drinking water running down the street for days at end.”

While aging pipes will be replaced, many other pipes might also be upgraded if there is a high demand on them, Nketle added.

Regarding the 30 per cent loss of water through leaks, Themba Gadebe, metro spokesperson, said: “The Water and Sanitation Department has a comprehensive plan to reduce water losses to below 20 per cent by June 2023.”

“The implementation of the plan has seen the consistent reduction in water losses over the last three financial years, from 33.9 per cent in the 2013/2014 financial year to 30.6 per cent in the 2015/2016 financial year.”

Nketle explained that, among other issues, one of the dangers to water pipes is trapped air, which can increase the risk of the pipes bursting.

“To counter this, fire hydrants connected to the relevant pipes will sometimes be opened, to bleed out the air,” she said.

“This is accompanied by a loss of water, but more might be lost if the trapped air is left and causes a pipe to burst.”

Du Plessis said water meters are often installed by incompetent technicians, causing them to leak easily.

Nketle said the metro also has a programme to replace old water meters with more reliable and accurate models.

To report water leaks or burst pipes, contact the municipal call centre on 086 054 3000, or via email at savewater@ekurhuleni.gov.za or SMS to 30788.

*In the article “EMM finalises water limits for residents”, published on page two of the City Times dated October 7, it was incorrectly stated that residents will be expected to reduce their average water consumption by 15 per cent and that their usage may not exceed 25kl per month. The water restrictions do not dictate that households/domestic users in Ekurhuleni have to reduce their average water usage by 15 per cent, based on the preceding 12 months; this applies only to businesses, non-profit organisations and other non-domestic users. Households/domestic users are required only to keep their monthly water consumption below 25kl, which, in turn, does not apply to the other user categories.