Residents and students are raising ongoing concerns over persistent water flow along Witkoppen Road in front of Henley Business School. This issue has reportedly persisted for more than four years.

The continuous stream of water, which runs along the roadside verge, has drawn complaints due to its impact on the surrounding environment and potential risk to road infrastructure.

Graham Gerrard from Henley Business School explained that the source of the water is believed to be natural.

Read more: Questions remain over Platina Bridge repairs a year after MMC’s promise

“So we do have a situation where the natural water is running on the side of Witkoppen Road.

“We believe it is actually originating from a natural spring underground, as far as we are aware. Several students and residents have been complaining about the water flowing down Witkoppen for years.”

Ward 93 councillor, Vino Reddy, recently conducted a site visit with Gerrard to assess the situation and trace the possible origin of the water.

“The issue here is, we need to get Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), Gauteng Provincial Department of Roads and Transport (GPDRT) and Joburg Water involved, so they can best assess how to manage this water flow. Because currently, the culvert is not deep enough, or it is not sustaining the water in a way that the water just flows over it. It is flowing along the grass on the side, thereby undermining the embankment as well as the road.”

Also read: JRA admits rubble is theirs contractor stored

Reddy emphasised that a practical solution exists if the water is properly redirected.

“If we can get proper water management here, and for the water to be directed properly onto the culvert and into the river, we should have an equitable solution for this.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy and Graham Gerrard from Henley Business School inspect the ongoing water flow along Witkoppen Road and point out the suspected source linked to an underground spring. Video: Ayanda Ntshingila #caxtonlocalmedia #Localnews #johannesburg #SA ♬ original sound Caxton Joburg North

I know it is a question of time and money, but now that we have identified the possible source, we need to get the authorities and the city to act to resolve this for us.”

JRA and GPDRT were contacted for comment.

JRA spokesperson Bertha Scheepers said, “We have confirmed with the JRA operational team and the issue is within provincial jurisdiction, and the colleagues at provincial will therefore respond.”

Follow-up enquiries were sent to GPDRT; however, no response had been received. More information will be provided once it becomes available.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!