Sewerage pipe to be replaced on Klein Jukskei River after repeated bursts

Johannesburg Water has confirmed that while they have clamped shut two sewage leaks in the Klein Jukskei River; the affected pipe needs a full replacement.

This concerns a sewage pipe network running through Randpark, Malanshof, and Strijdom Park, which have seen periodic bursts over the past few years. Nearby residents gag in their own homes as the water carries the sewage past and the smell permeates the air.

Also read: Residents frustrated with smell of sewage running into Klein Jukskei River

After being sent questions about the sewage leaks on October 12, spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala replied on October 24 that while two leaks had been clamped shut since then, the relevant pipe must be replaced.

“Johannesburg Water is currently busy with the necessary internal processes to have the pipe replaced,” she said, though she could not provide a time frame for this.

In the meantime, residents worry about the next inevitable burst and how it will affect their health and quality of life.

These bursts force Janine Smith and her husband Lyndon to walk up and down the length of the river to find their exact locations.

“We reported this latest pipe on October 2. It was patched and now it has burst again, so it must have been a shoddy job,” Smith complained. She sent the coordinates of the latest leak, as well as a secondary smaller leak nearby, to Joburg Water for repair.

Daniel du Plessis confirmed he was aware of at least one more sewage leak forcing residents to hold their noses in their own homes. Malanshof Community Association leader Priscilla Cillie said, “I know of people whose nostrils are burning. They have to walk around with scarves over their faces. It cannot be healthy.”

Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer said there are ‘plenty of leaks’ in the river. “Joburg Water is not fixing them timely in the ward. Hill Street waited eight months for their repair,” she said, adding that she had escalated the latest leaks.