Johannesburg Water has promised to reinstate a number of burst water pipes along a 1km stretch of Boundary Road. This was revealed in responses to questions posed by the Randburg Sun to spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala before the publication of the article 6 bursts in 1km stretch appearing in Randburg Sun, week ending September 29.
Also read: Boundary Road suffers 6 burst water pipes in 2 months
“The pipe in question is constructed from asbestos, a material known for its sensitivity to disturbances,” she said, adding four repairs involving burst and leaking valves had been done, though Ward 99 councillor Nicole van Dyk said she believed there were six.
Shabalala answered these questions on October 4, more than two weeks after they were sent to her on September 19. “When one section of this asbestos pipe requires attention and is opened for repairs, there is a notable concern that the issue may spread to the adjoining sections along the same alignment. This situation underscores the challenges posed by our ageing infrastructure.”
She said different sections along the same alignment of the pipe are encountering these issues.
“The recurring bursts are a complex problem influenced by various factors within our system. Water outages in the system play a role as pressure variations and the occasional interruption of water flow subject the pipes to stress, making them more susceptible to bursts. Another contributing factor is the age of our infrastructure. As the pipes have aged over time, they become more vulnerable to deterioration.”
She said to prevent further bursts along the road their approach involves a combination of proactive measures and responsive actions.
“Firstly, our depot closely monitors burst records in the affected area. This includes a thorough analysis of the historical burst data and patterns. When significant trends or recurring issues are identified, they are promptly escalated for a more comprehensive solution, often involving pipe replacement. In addition to these proactive measures, we also conduct ongoing repairs and maintenance in the sections prone to bursts. This responsive approach ensures that we address immediate issues swiftly, reducing the impact of sudden pipe failures and minimising water service disruptions for our customers.”
She said the reinstatements would be completed before October 6. However, by the time of going to print, these had not been done.
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