Johannesburg Water says technical challenges have further delayed Witkoppen Road repairs
Johannesburg Water says unforeseen technical challenges continue to delay emergency repairs on Witkoppen Road in Paulshof, leaving several northern Johannesburg suburbs without water and with no estimated time for restoration.
Johannesburg Water (JW) says unforeseen technical challenges have delayed emergency repairs to a pipe burst on Witkoppen Road, with no estimated time yet for the restoration of water supply or the reopening of the affected section of road.
In their statements, JW confirmed that repair work, which was expected to be completed on July 12, had to be delayed after crews encountered difficulties while working on the damaged pipeline at the corner of Witkoppen Road and Milcliff Drive in Paulshof.
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According to Johannesburg Water, the affected pipeline has since been successfully isolated, but repair work has been temporarily delayed because the line is still draining. “For the safety of our personnel, and to ensure the repair is carried out effectively, work can only begin once the pipeline has been fully drained.”
To speed up the process, Johannesburg Water said fire hydrants and scour valves have been opened to help drain the pipeline before repairs can continue.
The ongoing repairs follow the discovery of a second leak near the site of an earlier repair on Witkoppen Road. The emergency operation has since resulted in an unplanned water supply interruption affecting Edenburg, Paulshof, parts of Rivonia, Sunninghill, Leeuwkop, Waterfall, Equestrian Estate, Polofields Crossing, Polofields Lifestyle Estate, Woodmead, Khyber Rock, and surrounding areas.
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JW has also appealed to residents to stay away from the repair site, describing it as an active construction zone with deep excavations and heavy machinery. “Motorists travelling through the intersection of Witkoppen Road and Milcliff Drive are urged to exercise extra caution, reduce speed, and follow all traffic management measures and signage in the area.”
At the time of publication, Johannesburg Water said there was still no estimated time of restoration for either the water supply or the completion of the repairs.
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