A Midrand resident, Leonardo Biccari, claimed that Johannesburg Water workers who were repairing a burst pipe, willfully opened a fire hydrant to stop the flow of water instead of finding a maintenance supply valve.
Kabwe offered an alternative explanation to the fire hydrant’s seemingly wasteful spring of running water. “Each time there are water cuts or shortages, air fills the system because it acts like a vacuum. Once water is available, we have to get the locked air out of the system. We do this by opening hydrants to let the air out.”
When asked if it would not be prudent for the water supplier to allow residents to collect the water for themselves, especially during a water crisis, Kabwe replied that it would be unsafe. “It will pose a great danger to invite residents to collect water in that manner because of the pressure at which the water comes out during this process,” she said.
Read our previous story here:
Water being wasted by Midrand municipality
