Wi-Fi network installation causes burst water pipe in Meredale
This leak needs to be fixed to save water.
The clean running water running from a water leak at 6 Aasvoël Street, Meredale, was caused by a Wi-Fi network company which dug the trenches for their cables late in 2023.
Jimmy Legoabe, who lives in the house, said Johannesburg Water (JW) knows about this leak as it surveyed it twice already; with the recent visit in January.
“I forgot the company’s name that came here late in November 2023 to offer us internet service. It was at the trial stage and no longer working.
“They dug outside our homes in the area to place their cables. Not long after they left, water started seeping from the ground. At first, it was just a little water, however, the seeping continued.
“We contacted JW. They dug only to find the Wi-Fi network company damaged the water pipes when they installed the cables.
“Again JW came this January, drained the water, but did nothing more and the water is still flowing. The problem is different teams from JW came for the inspection and it seems they are not communicating with each other. I have to cut the grass now and then because of this water,” explained Jimmy.
A concerned citizen of the south, Dean Evans, brought this leak to light to the Southern Courier.
He contacted the newspaper, hoping this would be resolved as clean water gets wasted.
According to Evans, the water leak has been running for years.
“The extent of algae in the stream indicates how long it was leaking. The JW tape around the area discoloured from the time lapsed since being placed.
“It is astonishing how neighbours look past it, without a sense of civic-mindedness. Yet, should we have water restrictions, these will be the first to complain,” he said.
When Southern Courier asked for a reference number for this water leak to escalate to JW, it was established there was not one.
Dean does not live in the area, however he passes there when going to work.
“I thought the neighbours would take that up,” he said.
Although Jimmy said JW was there twice, JW spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said this leak was not reported and had no reference number.
“We logged a call and will share the reference number shortly,” she said.
