Businesses raise alarm over long-running water leak in Isando
A persistent water leak outside an Isando business has sparked concerns over public safety, infrastructure damage and ongoing water losses.
Businesses in Isando say they are growing increasingly frustrated over persistent water leaks that have affected local infrastructure for years, leaving roads damaged and grass verges deteriorating.
The leak, which runs alongside the grass verge outside Robot Industrial Supplies, has reportedly been ongoing for an extended period despite repeated attempts at repair.
Robot Industrial Supplies director Harry Raison said the issue has persisted for years, with municipal teams attending to the site only for the problem to recur shortly after.
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“Municipal workers are sent out, but it is always a temporary fix. Within about a week, the water starts leaking again,” said Raison.
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He added that repeated excavations have worsened conditions in the area. Soil is often left exposed after repairs, leading to water accumulation and traffic disruption as loose soil is left along the roadside.
In one instance, an excavation site was reportedly left exposed, with visible cables and an electricity substation nearby, raising additional safety concerns.
“It’s shocking that people need to live like this. The municipality is failing us dismally. We already have a water issue, yet a problem like this continues for so many years. I can only imagine how many litres of water have been lost over time,” he said.
Raison further alleged that the hazardous conditions have already resulted in serious injury.
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Robot Industrial employee Cherice De Ridder said she was injured in January 2023 when she slipped while walking on the grass on her way to an ATM.
“I was walking on the grass when I slipped and fell into one of the holes, and I snapped my shoulder,” she said.
De Ridder underwent surgery and now has titanium in her arm, but says she still does not have full function in her dominant arm.
“The entire ordeal was horrible. At this rate, it is much safer walking on the road than on the grass because you cannot see which holes have been properly filled.”
Frustrated business owners and employees say they want the matter urgently resolved before more injuries occur.
Kempton Express has requested comment from the City of Ekurhuleni, but no response has been received at the time of publication.
