Metro continues to replace decaying water pipes in north
According to Ward 50 councillor Lenise Breytenbach, the asbestos pipes are ancient, a health risk and are prone to busting at any given time.
The Tshwane metro has recently begun a project to replace ageing asbestos water pipes in Sinoville in the north of Pretoria.
Ward 50 councillor Lenise Breytenbach said the asbestos pipes needed replacement as they are more than 50 years old.
“The information we have is that the water pipes are from 1967 because the date is written on the pipes.
“The asbestos pipes are ancient and are a health risk and prone to busting at any given time,” said Breytenbach.
Breytenbach said ongoing water leaks called for urgent intervention from the municipality to replace the water infrastructure.
“Water is a basic need and residents need water to survive daily and can’t afford to have frequent water leaks.
“The asbestos pipes should’ve been replaced years ago already.
“The metro’s project to replace the pipes will ensure better service delivery to residents,” she said.
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According to Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the pipes are being replaced through the city’s approved pipe replacement programme.
“The second phase for the next financial year will be at Konavle Street and Matlabas Avenue in Sinoville,” he said.
Mashigo said the aim is to replace all existing asbestos pipes as a permanent solution through the metro’s pipe replacement programme, but it has challenges due to the limited budget.
“The metro has allocated a budget for replacing ageing pipes and also use the metro’s water maintenance teams to attend to leaks reported daily,” he said.
MMC for Finance Jacqui Uys allocated R50.2-million to water leaks and repairs during the budget speech earlier this month.
“We are committing significant resources towards ensuring that we provide our residents with clean, potable water.
“Our water and sanitation department is allocated approximately R536-million for the 2024/25 financial year,” said Uys.
Upgrades will take place in Dorandia extensions 2, 4 and 5 over the next financial year.
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