![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2015/04/pipelinepic.jpg)
Excavation started in July last year and phase one of the project recently reached the halfway mark where the old water pipe is being replaced with a high density polyetheline pipe.
Ekurhuleni Metro spokesman Themba Gadebe says the lifespan of this pipe is 100 years.
The pipes still need to be placed at all the intersections turning into Welgedacht Road between Bakerton and Welgedacht.
Gadebe says this may take some time as the project commenced with a reduction in the scope of works and the pipe jacking items were excluded due to budget limitations in the 2014/15 financial year.
A report has, however, been submitted to the Bid Adjudication Committee to reinstate those items since the sufficient funds have been allocated in the 2015/16 financial year.
He says there are no delays and the project is in line with the approved programme of works.
Phase two will include a new reservoir in Persida, which will be built next to the current one.
It will contain 35 megalitres of water.
It is not yet known when phase two will start and Gadebe says the job will be completed in January.