Frustration continues over ageing infrastructure in Bryanston

Frustration over ageing infrastructure continues in Bryanston as pipe bursts leave residents at a loss.

Residents along Daniel, Witney, Halifax and Bath streets have experienced eight pipes burst in May, spanning across a 500m radius, leaving many households with flooded driveways and little to no water running from their taps.

In a more recent incident, a burst pipe on Daniel Street on May 27, saw an influx of water flood a resident’s backyard.

According to the affected resident, who would prefer not to be identified, Johannesburg Water responded once the call was logged but by that time the water had already been running for an excess of 16 hours.

“There was a hole, less than a metre in size, on the side of the driveway that had water bucketing down [the driveway] – essentially a river. It [the water] came straight through the driveway, over our retaining walls, into the garden, flooded everything but, thank god, did not go into the house.”

The resident added that without the drainage system he installed near the garage, the water would have no doubt flooded the house.

The burst pipe was identified as one of the main water supply pipes that feeds Daniel and Halifax streets.

The repair took six hours, with workers completing the pipework after midnight as the water pipes were incorrectly placed underneath a storm water drain. The storm water drain was also completely destroyed in order to reach and repair the burst pipe.

The resident added that once the pipe was repaired, it took another two days before the driveway and road was filled with sand – with no access to the property during this time.

The storm water drain is awaiting repairs as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Johannesburg Roads Agency. This has left the driveway unstable, difficult to access, and residents fearful of any potential rain water from any other possible water bursts.

According to another resident Claire Patterson, who resides within the concerning 500m radius, the bigger issue remains the ageing infrastructure.

“There are holes that have been dug along each street where repairs were done, however, to date remain unfilled. The [Joburg Water] teams when they eventually arrived at the above site were fantastic but if the infrastructure is not replaced, we will never see the end.”

She added that a more proactive approach is needed by the ward councillors in the area as well.

Johannesburg Water was contacted for feedback but no comment was made available at the time of publication.

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