Ageing asbestos pipe replacement on the cards for Joburg North

Johannesburg Water will replace the old asbestos cement piping infrastructure in the central and northern suburbs.

This was according to a statement by MMC of Environment and Infrastructure Services Michael Sun on August 8, following hundreds of water outages and pipe bursts reported to the water utility from across the city this year.

Residents in Sandton and Bryanston have bared the brunt, previously reported in Concern flood over pipe [Week ending June 10] and Ageing pipes cause damage [Week ending August 5].

Residents in Daniel Street in Bryanston had to deal with more than 20 pipe bursts for the year by the end of June, with more than 10 holes left open by Johannesburg Water in Witney, Halifax and Bath streets. In the neighbouring suburb of Riverclub, residents in Denys, Tessa and surrounding roads reported more than 20 pipe bursts since October 2021, many of which were reoccurring.

According to Riverclub resident Charl Crofton, since he last spoke to Sandton Chronicle on July 21, Joburg Water returned to the area a further six times for repairs, resulting in further outages.

“The debris from previous outages is still lying on side of the road. No one has been to collect [it],” he claimed.

A major burst in front of Crofton’s home was repaired numerous times. On August 1, Crofton did confirm that the major repair which resulted in the excavation of his front lawn and driveway, had been finally completed.

“The hole in my driveway has also been closed, however, I guess it is up to me now to reinstate it properly to its original condition.”

While Johannesburg Water had not responded to queries concerning the continuous Riverclub outages, despite numerous follow-ups, the statement by Sun acknowledged that the utility was aware of the effects of the old asbestos pipes.

According to Sun, Johannesburg Water would implement an urgent short to medium-term plan that would replace the old infrastructure in the central and north suburbs such as Bryanston and Fourways.

“This replacement project is going to be rolled out urgently in the north of Johannesburg as well other flash points like Randburg,” said Sun.

As part of the new financial year project, the asbestos pipes would be replaced with either UPVC or steel pipes, bringing a permanent solution and relief to residents.

“This decades-old infrastructure is simply not designed to withstand the rapid opening and closing of the water system that occurs during upgrades and routine maintenance.

“The Johannesburg Water teams will do their best to ensure this is a seamless exercise. Johannesburg residents must please be patient as this is going to be short-term pain for long-term gain as we upgrade the water system.”

Related articles: