This is according to Clr Simon Lapping, DA Ward 17 councillor that covers suburbs of Boksburg.
“The metro has an estimated R700 million of overdue in sewer and water infrastructure upgrades and replacement,” said Lapping.
“With water restrictions already in place, the metro may end up being the biggest culprit responsible for water wastage across the entire province.
“Two weeks ago the Minister of Water and Sanitation imposed restrictions, limiting the use of water across all municipalities in an attempt to preserve water in the Vaal and Orange River systems.
“In response, the Ekurhuleni Metro implemented water restrictions, urging all of its residents to use water sparingly in order to preserve already scarce water resources.
“The Democratic Alliance demanded that the metro prioritise the replacement and upgrading of infrastructure first, before imposing hefty fines on businesses and residents.
“I have since received complaints from several business owners regarding the decaying water infrastructure in Jet Park.
“Granite road in Jet Park is a prime example of this. Numerous leaks can be found, flooding over 200m of this road and various business premises.
“I have inspected these leaks on many occasions and escalated the issue to the MMC for Water and Energy in Ekurhuleni in order to highlight the sheer magnitude of the situation.
“Leaks on this road are fixed every couple of months, however in a few weeks, the very same leaks re-appear and worsens. This is as a result of the quick fixes!
“I am of the opinion that the main feeder pipes, has reached its sell-by date and needs to be replaced.
“Over the past two years, millions of litres of water has been wasted due to persistent and ever reoccurring leaks.
“Businesses are now threatening with legal action due to the foundations of their properties sinking as a result of the accumulation of water underground.
“Jet Park is an important centre of manufacturing and industry in South Africa and one of the primary contributors to Ekurhuleni’s local economy.
“As such, the area is heavily reliant on strong and reliable infrastructure is of paramount importance for the industry to operate effectively and efficiently.
“The metro should prioritise infrastructural development in these areas and regularly maintain and upgrade infrastructure.
“Plans should be put in place to upgrade both water electricity infrastructure across the metro, especially in business hubs, as they are important resources needed in order to sustain the development of our local economy.”
