Continuous leakage damages the road
NORTH RIDING – A leak on the municipal water supply line has raised concern among residents.
A continuous water leakage from municipal water supply pipe on the corner of Bellairs Drive and Blandford Road in North Riding continues to wreak havoc in the area.
The leak spills water to the road through a drainage PVC [polyvinyl chloride] pipe from Bahai International’s property leading onto the common pavement and road surface. “Already this water seepage is the cause of potholes, this so soon after the entire road was resurfaced by the Johannesburg Roads Agency,” said one resident in the area, Noël van Breda.
According to the resident, the pipes have resulted in damage to the pavement, as well as potholes. “JRA and the local councillor should take this matter up with Bahai International as a matter of extreme urgency as the damage is clearly visible and the high boundary wall is showing signs of water damage,” said Van Breda.
Joburg Water spokesperson Puleng Mopeli said they are aware of the leak, however, it is a municipal water supply pipe causing the issue, emphasising that it was municipal infrastructure and not that of Bahai International. “It can be confusing when it rains. However, rain run-off goes via the stormwater drainage system. When a supply pipe leaks, it follows the easiest path (lowest point) mainly on the road and down stormwater drains,” said Mopeli.
Mopeli said the repair on the municipal line and valve was previously done by a Joburg Water contractor. “Joburg Water is engaging with the contractor to repair the leak under warranty which binds them to repair all snags post the job. The leak on the municipal line needs to be repaired. Bahai International is not to blame and Joburg Water will prioritise in resolving this matter,” said Mopeli.
Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau also told Randburg Sun on March 16 that the leakage was from a previous repair. “The contractor that did the repair was out recently to inspect and I am waiting for the report back,” he said.
Bahai International confirmed the leak was emanating from their property and the pipe belongs to the municipality. “They have tried to fix the pipe a few months ago, but it clearly has not been fixed properly, because the leak is still there. We have now once again asked them on several occasions to fix it and are waiting for a response,” said Charlotte Matdat from National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South Africa.
Matdat said in the meantime, their national centre manager is in the process of arranging various meetings to sort this out. “As you can imagine, the neighbours are not understanding that it is a municipal pipe that needs to be fixed and we cannot take responsibility,” said Matdat.
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