The persistent issue of water pipe bursts in Pretoria North has left many residents and local businesses grappling with the consequences.
The frequent disruptions not only cause inconvenience but also raise questions about the effectiveness of Tshwane metro’s response and long-term strategies to address the problem.
Maria Ndlovu of Sandra’s Beauty Palace said the water issue has been a constant struggle.
“Every time there’s a burst, we face water shortages that disrupt our business operations.
“It’s affecting our bottom line and inconveniencing customers,” said Ndlovu.
Siphosethu Khumalo, who lives on President Steyn Street in Pretoria North, told Rekord they never know when the water will be cut off, and it often happens at the most inconvenient times.
“It’s affecting our daily lives and making it difficult to manage our household chores,” said Khumalo.
Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer said he receives five to 10 reports of water leaks per week.
“The reason behind these water leaks is mainly the old asbestos pipes we have here in Pretoria North.
“We get a lot of these leaks and the only way to fix it is residents must continue to report them,” said Meyer.
He said it’s important for residents to not only report water leaks when they occur in their street but also when they occur in their surrounding areas.
“Let’s all play a part, there’s an app to report such incidents.”
In response to the ongoing water pipe issues, the metro has outlined several measures aimed at mitigating the impact on the community and addressing the root causes of the problem.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the cost of repairing pipe bursts varies depending on the extent of the damage.
He said repairs are funded through the metro’s annual maintenance budget, which allocates resources for such emergencies.
“However, this funding may not always cover the full scope of repairs needed, leading to delays.
“The metro acknowledges that pipe failures have significant economic repercussions and to alleviate immediate issues, water tankers are provided to affected areas if disruptions exceed 24 hours,” he said.
Mashigo acknowledged this temporary measure does not fully address the long-term economic strain on businesses and residents.
He added that a dedicated unit within the metro is focused on replacing old and dilapidated pipes to reduce the frequency of bursts.
“The effectiveness of this programme is limited by available resources and the extent of infrastructure needing replacement.”
Mashigo emphasised that while infrastructure damage can impact residents’ quality of life, efforts are made to address water complaints swiftly to minimise health risks.
He said after repairs, the distribution system is flushed to remove any contaminants.
“The metro has established the Community Upliftment Precinct programme, encouraging communities to enhance their local environments.
This initiative aims to foster collaboration between residents and the city to address environmental and infrastructure needs.
Residents are advised to report potholes and pipe bursts, with updates communicated through local councillors,” he said.
With the metro facing several challenges in managing the water infrastructure, Mashigo said resource shortages sometimes delay response times, which impacts the metro’s ability to meet its expected standards for repairs.
He mentioned that the varying age of water infrastructure across the metro presents further complications, with older pipes being more prone to failures.
Residents are calling for greater transparency and more proactive measures to address the water infrastructure issues.
Many feel the metro’s responses are insufficient and that more effective communication and planning are needed to prevent future disruptions.
“We need better communication from the metro.
“We should be informed in advance about repairs and disruptions, not just when they happen.”
The community also advocates for increased investment in infrastructure and a more robust long-term strategy to replace outdated pipes and improve overall system resilience.
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