Council not responsible for unblocking drains
eThekwini Municipality said it's not responsible for the unblocking of drains in private properties caused by burst water pipes.
A BURST water pipe has caused endless problems for La Lucia resident, Reka Singh.
On Saturday 10 August, the burst pipe caused massive flooding outside Singh’s Addison Drive home, including her pool.
The senior professional technologist of eThekwini Municipality’s Water and Sanitation Unit, Ashan Nandlal, said the municipality will repair the leak and restore the water supply.
“Investigations are being conducted and after all interventions have been exhausted, relay of the mains may then be requested, when necessary,” said Nandlal.
He added the bursts on a water main are unavoidable.
“These projects’ requests follow various approval processes before a relay is actually done, which could take up to three years or so,” he said.
According to Nandlal, the municipality has already created a project for a relay further down Addison Drive which was created on 19 July 2011.
“Pipes that are 10 years old are still considered to be relatively new. The change in seasonal conditions, ground conditions and heavy trafficking affect the stability of the mains in this area and could also be the likely cause of bursts or leaks of this nature.”
Nandlal said municipal workers don’t work on private property, unblocking drains.
“They assist with the cleaning of the silt on the paving or driveway. Cleaning of the drains would have to be done privately and an insurance claim submitted for the damages or losses incurred. Settlement would be dependent on the outcome of the investigation,” he concluded.
