Blairgowrie residents were left inconvenienced when fresh water flowed heavily down Conrad Drive for two consecutive days before Johannesburg Water managed to halt the flow. The flowing water was due to a burst pipe in the system.
The heavy water flow persisted due to delays in addressing the issue caused by a strike at Johannesburg Water’s Zandfontein depot. Spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said the strike was affecting maintenance. “SAMWU-affiliated employees of Johannesburg Water’s Zandfontein depot are currently on strike. This is impacting maintenance work in the Sandton area, which is serviced by this depot. It is causing delays and compromising service delivery. Johannesburg Water’s management and the union are currently in discussions to resolve the labour dispute.”
Ward 102 councillor Lucinda Harman expressed frustration over the prolonged strike’s effect on essential services. “Across several wards, we have multiple bursts needing urgent attention and there seems to be no way to resolve them as Joburg Water has yet to offer alternative escalation channels.”
She echoed concerns about the wastage of drinkable water. “Residents are being asked to limit water usage, yet thousands of litres of drinkable water are being lost due to this strike. This is my biggest concern.”
Shabalala confirmed that the entity has plans in place to solve maintenance issues. “As part of contingency plans, the entity has appointed contractors to perform priority repairs and maintenance on the network.”
In response to mounting pressure, Johannesburg Water closed the valve responsible for the water leak on Conrad Drive, alleviating the flow and initiating repairs. A water truck was dispersed to the site to provide water to residents who had no water as a result of the burst.
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