Ekurhuleni set to permanently fix leak

The water was said to be pumped from a nearby electrical substation.

The concern of a local driver was the constant puddle of water on the intersection being both hazardous and a nuisance to drivers, and it causing a large pothole that was recently closed to re-open.

A channel was dug to guide the water to a nearby storm water drain, but this method was interrupted by it having filled up with litter.

Ekurhuleni spokesperson Sam Modiba reported back to the City Times that the electrical substation is equipped with a cable tunnel to accommodate electrical cables feeding from the substation.

“The tunnel itself is equipped with a submersible water pump to pump out excess natural water which seeps into the tunnel, in order to protect the installed cables,” he said.

Modiba explained that the litter has been removed and they have noticed that the water pumped out of the cable tunnel was running into the storm water inlet and not reaching the said intersection.

After inspecting the issue again on July 22, the metro found that the entrance to the storm water drain was blocked again, which caused the water being pumped from the substation to pass the drain and eventually end up in the intersection.

“It is also obvious that the natural water table is much higher now than before, and hence the excess pumping,” said Modiba.

“In order to permanently solve this issue the water will be re-directed.”