A continuous leak, running down Duff Street in Craigavon for the past six months, has left residents frustrated, motorists inconvenienced, and the road surface visibly deteriorating.
Despite investigations by Johannesburg Water (JW) and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), the problem has not yet been resolved.
Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe described the issue as complex, saying that while authorities have inspected the site, the water continues to flow with no clear end in sight.
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On September 5, Van der Merwe visited the site, along with the Fourways Review, where he explained the situation in detail.
“What initially appeared to be rainwater runoff, is, in fact, ground water discharging through a kerbside outlet, a structure designed to handle occasional overflow, not constant discharge.
“This has been going on for six months. When did we last have rain? So, this is groundwater coming from somewhere up there.
One of those complexes is leaking underground into the storm water drain, and what that now does, because of the continual flow, is damage the road. Look at how it has started to crack and fall apart.”
He pointed to large cracks, potholes, and even green slime forming across the tar surface.
“If someone brakes suddenly on this slime, it could easily lead to an accident.”
The councillor noted that while fibre installation is taking place along the street, it is unrelated to the leak. The real concern, he said, is that unchecked water flow is slowly eroding the road base and undoing previous repairs.
Also read: JRA repairs sinkhole on Dulcie Close, tar reinstatement still pending
On September 10, Van der Merwe returned to the site, with officials from JW, JRA, the urban inspector, and the Region E CRUM director. The multi-agency meeting provided some clarity.
@caxtonjoburgnorth Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe and Fourways Review visited Duff Street in Craigavon to check the cause of a water leak that has been running for six months. On-site, he pointed out that the issue stems from a leaking kerbside outlet, resulting in continuous water flow and growing frustration among residents. Video: Ayanda Ntshingila #Ward115 #Johannesburgwater ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
According to Van der Merwe, testing confirmed that the outflow is groundwater entering the storm water system higher up Duff Street, and discharging through the kerbside outlet as designed.
In addition, JW identified a meter leak on Duff Road, which has since been escalated to the Randburg Depot for attention.
“I have requested the test results to share with JRA. As the commitment timelines are reached, I will provide ongoing feedback,” Van der Merwe said.
For now, residents are urging both JW and JRA to accelerate their response before the damage becomes irreversible.
The Fourways Review will continue to follow up on progress and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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