Residents in Ward 117 can expect about a month and a couple of weeks’ delays regarding the ongoing Pressure Releasing Valves Pilot Project.
In an article titled, Joburg Water to instal pressure release valves in Parktown [Week ending 9 August 2019], the Rosebank Killarney Gazette was made aware that the project was set to be completed in three months. Joburg Water had announced the previous year (2018) that they would be conducting a pilot project to instal pressure release valves in various streets of regions B and E in an attempt to combat water pressure issues and unexpected pipe bursts in the area.
During a site meeting in Parkhurst, Ward 117 councillor Tim Truluck said, “There are a lot of issues with this project including labour issues. The other issue is it’s spread over so many different sites, wards, areas which include Houghton, Parkwood, Parkview and Parkhurst an Orange Grove. I think it was probably under-budgeted and it’s been much more complex than they first thought.”
Ward 117 committee member and project co-ordinator Christo Morolong said the labour issues were complicated by the fact that getting enough subcontractors from the ward was difficult so they had to look at getting them from other wards. Truluck added that it’s very frustrating because it disrupts the streets with big trenches across 1st Avenue West as well as a big valve in the middle of the road which Truluck said he hoped was temporary.
Chairperson of the Parktown North Residents’ Association Lee-Ann Louverdis said recent heavy rains had contributed to delays. “The residents association bears the brunt of all the complaints that come through and we certainly understand that there is complicating factors like the rain and labour issues and the fact that it’s such a very big project, but we really look forward to the successful completion of this project because the residents have had enough. They appreciate the fact that they’re getting there but we need to know that there’s an end in sight,” said the chairperson.
During the implementation of the project, Truluck observed that different entities had to come into play, for instance, if a shovel mistakenly hit a power cable then City Power had to be contacted to which Morolong added, “Turnaround time could take about two or three days in that case, which delays the work and frustrates residents.”
The councillor said they were currently laying a new water pipe all the way along from Sutherland Avenue down to 5th Avenue. Truluck said, “In this area, the piping is very old and it’s one of the worst in terms of water loss. So, the whole idea is to reduce the pressure in the pipes in the whole area. They started work in 1st Avenue West and it’s going to affect Parktown North, Parkhurst and Craighall. When it’s finished it will be fantastic and will reduce a lot of the burst pipes that we have.”
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