In an attempt to decrease the number of burst water pipes in the Fourways area, Joburg Water has reduced the pressure of water flow, but this has caused further frustration for many living in complexes.
Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy explained, “To mitigate further burst pipes, Johannesburg Water decreased the water pressure at the pressure release valve (PRV). While assisting with no further pipes being burst, it resulted in many complexes either having no water or low water pressure.”
Many residents’ water supply was affected for a number of days. He added that residents are frustrated and angry due to the issue.
Since January, Sunninghill has had frequent pipes in need of replacement due to bursts. On Tana Road, a 600m metal trunk pipe cracked in two places on March 3. The pipe had already been repaired twice – in December and January.
Reddy said special parts were needed to repair the metal pipe when it recently burst, and further delays were incurred. “To facilitate repairs, the water had to be turned off at the South Road and Bowling PRV. By turning off the water here, all residents along Bowling Avenue, parts of Morningside, Woodmead, Sunninghill and Waterfall were affected.
“Johannesburg Water had to procure parts from other depots, as there was no stock at the Zandfontein depot. This delayed repairs by a day. The metal pipe repairs also started leaking, which resulted in further delays.”
Once the pipe was repaired and water restored, the pressure caused another pipe burst on Naivasha and Tana roads. That pipe was repaired in late January.
Reddy added that a pipe replacement is necessary as residents are tired of complaining about common burst pipes. He stressed that the city needs to accelerate the pipe renewal project. “The issue that needs to be driven is the pipe replacement to mitigate against future pipe bursts. The old and ageing infrastructure that Joburg Water has is comprised primarily of asbestos cement pipes,” he said.
“The [infrastructure] is between 40 and 60 years old and needs to be replaced. This project has often been stalled due to financial and material availability issues. On behalf of the residents of Sunninghill, I implore Joburg Water and the City of Joburg to take emergency measures, and implement a pipe renewal programme, to resolve this crisis.”
Resident along Tana Road in Sunninghill Alma Manders said the bursts have significantly impacted her and her community. “These pipes are very old. There are heavy trucks that drive on Tana Road, often from 06:00 until late in the evening, that I think may be contributing to the bursts,” she said.
“We’re very lucky that we have a strong water flow in Sunninghill, but I’m concerned at the constant bursts.”
On March 16, Fourways Review contacted Joburg Water for comment. The entity acknowledged the questions brought to them and confirmed they had sent questions to the relevant departments. On March 15, the newspaper followed up again regarding their response and received no word. At the time of going to on March 20, no comment had been received for the article.
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