ICYMI: Regular water outages frustrate Fourways residents
FOURWAYS – Aging infrastructure and old, brittle asbestos piping is the cause of the regular pipe bursts.
Fourways residents are angered by the large number of burst pipes and water outages that have been experienced over the past few weeks.
Resident Rob Delahunt said the Fourways area had experienced more than 20 burst pipes in a matter of weeks, proving to be not only a major inconvenience for residents but also a health hazard during Covid-19.
“No sooner has one pipe been repaired, then there is another pipe burst somewhere else in the suburb… It has become a serious problem as we have had very little water during this period,” added Delahunt.
Ward 115 councillor Matome Mafokwane sympathised with Delahunt’s frustration.
“This is indeed the most frustrating time for all people residing and paying rates and taxes in the greater Fourways area,” said Mafokwane. “We have witnessed the unprecedented collapse of our underground infrastructure and I believe this is just the beginning as the worst is yet to come.”
Mafokwane added that aging asbestos piping, which had passed its lifespan, was the cause of the trouble.
“All repair work carried out is just a temporary fix and will last as long as the asbestos pipes can remain intact. Any slightest movement on those pipes triggers a new burst, hence all repairs are carried out very slowly and precisely.”
Ward 94 councillor David Foley echoed Mafokwane’s sentiments, adding that this issue had also been brought to the attention of councillors in Ward 93 and 106.
Foley said, “Budget allocation for Capex will need to be approved by Joburg Water management and the project to replace old pipes will need to be initiated.”
Foley complimented the Joburg Water team for their continued commitment to restore water in the Fourways area.
“The teams endure adverse weather conditions to perform their duties 24/7, 365 days a year and their service is noted and appreciated,” said Foley.
Mark van der Merwe, DA Fourways Constituency chairman and chairman of Ward 106, visited the majority of sites where the bursts occurred in the Fourways area in the past 18 days.
He said it was difficult to get hold of Johannesburg Water, and that residents have had issues with the leaks since June 1. He had previously gone to a site where Johannesburg Water was digging but fell into a sinkhole and was in hospital with an injured elbow.
“The magnitude of these leaks is a massive one. I have been to 23 of the 24 leaks in the last 18 days,” he said.
“Water has been flowing down the road and into people’s gardens and houses. I have been getting calls from people almost every day about these bursts. In one complex there have been four bursts.
“Repairing these pipes and filling these holes will probably be an all-night mission with emergency teams to come through.”
Marketing and communications manager at Joburg Water Isaac Dhludhlu said old and ageing infrastructure was the main problem across the city.
“We have an infrastructure backlog of over R10 billion at this moment,” added Dhludhlu.
“We have requested additional funding on our pipe replacement programme to ensure that we are in a position to provide sustainable water to all.”
Dhludhlu urged residents across the city to be the eyes and ears of Joburg Water on the ground and report all outages, irrespective of the area, to minimise the impact and improve turnaround times.
Water and sewer problems can be logged at Joburg Connect on 011 375 5555, on Facebook or Twitter @JHBWater, via SMS on 076 333 5052 or via email on Customer@jwater.co.za
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