WATCH: New Redruth complex loses thousand litres of water
A New Redruth complex recently lost many litres of water after the City of Ekurhuleni’s energy department damaged its water pipe while on duty.
Despite water scarcity, a New Redruth complex in St Austell Street lost many litres of water due to a water pipe being damaged.
The leak started on September 2, lasting for more than 48 hours.
Initially, the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) energy department was out to fix street lights which were said to have been non-operational for years. However, while trying to fix the street lights, the unexpected occurred.
For four months now there has reportedly been periodic water pipe bursts in the area leading to a loss of thousands of litres of water.
Ward 106 committee member Tim Denny said the energy department came through to dig for a faulty cable since a few lights in the street weren’t working but eventually damaged a pipe.
“They couldn’t find the fault in one of the street lights and eventually damaged the water pipe. We are mainly concerned about the turnaround times. After infrastructure has been damaged, they have to be much quicker to get back to it. But it takes days for them to come and fix the problem,” he said.
“On the one hand, they are trying to fix a problem, while destroying their own infrastructure on the other.”
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He also stated residents were concerned that they will be billed for the many litres of water wasted.
A New Redruth resident of three years, Terisa Barreto, said: “Our water pressure kept decreasing, affecting residents in the complex. In recent months there was a water pipe burst which went for weeks on end. Thousands of litres of water have gone to waste due to this damage.”
Barreto also demanded the CoE takes accountability for damages to its infrastructure as that adversely affects locals.
In a statement, City’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini assured the RECORD the standard response time is 48 hours after the City has received a call.
“The damage was caused by our energy department officials working on their services and was repaired when we became aware of it. The cost is for the internal account of Council,” he said.
WATCH: A video showing water flowing down St Austell Street
