Johannesburg Water revises Craigavon sewer project deadline to September 30
The long-running sewer infrastructure upgrade is now 85% complete, but Johannesburg Water says outstanding pipeline work, reinstatements, and a second phase of construction mean residents must wait longer for relief from sewer overflows.
Residents hoping for the completion of the long-running Craigavon sewer rising main replacement project will have to wait a little longer.
Johannesburg Water is revising the completion date to September 30, and confirming that sewer overflows affecting the Klein Jukskei River have not yet been resolved.
The project was originally expected to be completed in May, before the end of the City of Johannesburg’s 2025/26 financial year.
Read more: Sewage spills continue to foul Jukskei River
Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said the project is about 85% complete, with one road crossing and approximately 265m of pipeline still to be laid to connect to the outfall sewer line.
“Outstanding work also includes the installation of scour valves, fittings, and associated chambers, as well as the reinstatement of roads, kerbs, and paving.”
She added that the project had been delayed by small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMME)-related grievances during the early stages of construction, as well as periods when work was suspended.
Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe said the project, which involves replacing more than 2.2km of sewer rising main from Willow Avenue to the circle at Poplar and Campbell roads, continuing along Campbell and Inchanga roads to just beyond Mont Tremblant, had also been affected by funding constraints.
He said the contractor stopped work twice after not receiving payment from Johannesburg Water, but returned once the matter was resolved.
Van der Merwe added that only a short section of pipeline remains to be installed along Willow Avenue before construction can move into its final stages.
Also read: Paulshof road to remain closed after Johannesburg Water finds second leak
Despite significant progress, Shabalala said residents should not expect an immediate end to sewer-related problems, because the current work forms only the first phase of a larger programme.
She explained that phase 1 represents about 40% of the overall scope of works, while the remaining 60%, including a 3.3km, 900mm-diameter rising main, will be delivered under a separate project.
She added that phase 2 is currently at the tender documentation stage, with tenders due to close on August 7, after the project required an environmental authorisation before it could proceed.
Looking ahead, Shabalala said the completed sewer upgrade is expected to improve the reliability and capacity of the network by reducing sewer blockages, pipe bursts, spillages, and service interruptions, while also mitigating the environmental impacts associated with sewage pollution.
However, she warned that risks remain.
“There remains a risk of work stoppages arising from SMME-related matters, or community or local labour-related challenges, which could potentially affect the construction programme and the anticipated completion date.
Payment delays by Johannesburg Water might lead to further suspension of works and this can lead to further delays.”
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