Brian Adams, of the Kleinfontein Cycle Appliance Centre, on Prince’s Avenue, is at his wit’s end and is disgusted at the amount of water that’s going to waste.
Water is leaking on the corner of Swan Street and Prince’s Avenue, and has been streaming down the streets for three months non-stop.
Adams, who served as a councillor 12 years ago, has reported the matter to heads of departments, and his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“Nothing is going well in our city; its disgusting and they are ripping off people,” he said.
He reported the matter on May 9, and was given a reference number — 1054000 — but the council is tight-lipped and still not responding.
So far, nothing has been done.
Adams also reported the matter to councillors Gerrie Kriek and Mary Goby, to try to escalate the matter on their side.
Kriek confirmed that Adams had informed him of the situation, and said he had explained that it could take a week or two before the leakage could be attended to.
“Officials are trying their best, and at the moment they are dealing with people who are without water, then they will attend to complaints of water leakages,” he said.
“It’s a complete waste of water; when people report water leaks, the water department does not follow up and resolve their complaints,” said Goby.
According to Adams, the call centre apparently has two departments, one for users and another for pipelines, but you only get through to them only if its your lucky day.
His frustration is due to the fact that the leaking is a council problem, and that approximately 300 000lt of water is wasted daily.
“I feel residents of Benoni and surrounding towns need to fight the council for this loss of water,” he said.
Adams felt reporting this issue to the City Times was his last resort as all other attempts had failed.
“The council should employ people who are passionate about their jobs, and assist citizens when they call in with complaints,” Adams reiterated.
The City Times asked Ekurhuleni for comment on June 6, but at the time going to press, none had been received.
