Parts of Coleraine Road between Bryanston and Parkmore became submerged by a burst pipe causing a stream of water to cascade down Marico Avenue on the weekend of September 30 – October 1.
Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) was contacted with regards to gathering information on the situation. JRA spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said, “I think you need to contact Joburg Water. as they need to fix [it]. I think you need to get progress from them, because they need to give you an update on the timeframe of the leak and so on.”
Joburg Water was contacted on October 2, towards ascertaining when the leak would be plugged. Joburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala responded on October 5, indicating that the leak would be plugged within 48 hours.
“It is due to a water hammer, which refers to a pressure surge from a rapid change in the flow velocity where the pressure at the point of the burst exceeds the design pressure of the pipeline,” said Shabalala.
“This phenomenon is often exacerbated by ageing infrastructure, subsoil conditions, high water table, seasonal temperature fluctuations and other factors beyond the control of Johannesburg Water.”
According to Shabalala, the direct result of water leaks, such as this one, is low water pressure in consumer and customer homes. Shabalala also indicated that the leak had yet to be logged – suggesting that residents may not have reported the leak.
“Upon checking on our system, the complaint was not logged; we have since logged the call (Ref 404520518),” Shabalala said.
“We used the address given [by the Sandton Chronicle]: Coleraine Road (at the intersection with Marico Avenue).”
Related article: