Poor workmanship, ageing infrastructure lead to wastage of clean water in Ekurhuleni

Irked residents of Lilianton reported wastage of clean drinking water from two separate burst underground pipes in Lilianton several times since the problems started a few months ago.

However, it appears as if the metro is battling to stop the leaks, turning the roads into little streams.

Residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the ‘poor’ workmanship displayed on the water pipeline system and street maintenance. Apart from the water wastage, the leaks located on the corner of St Joseph and Calla avenues have created deep potholes hiding beneath the pools of muddy water in the streets.

According to one of the concerned residents, whose house is located next to one of the puddles, water from burst underground pipes in the aforementioned locations started to seep onto the tar months ago. The faults, from the two separate burst underground pipes, then started to gradually erode the road surface.

Along with his neighbours, Rudi Rudolph filed numerous reports with the municipality, with no success. However, days after escalating the matter to their ward councillor Ashley Hoods, municipal workers reportedly came, had a look and left.

According to Hoods, workers returned to the affected areas on August 25 to try and stop the leaks using clamps, something he described as a temporary solution to the problem. However, the workers only managed to stop the leak on corner St James and Calla avenues.

“These water leaks have been a recurring problem in my ward because of the failing ageing infrastructure that needs a major overhaul. These kinds of issues can only be permanently addressed by replacing the old-age infrastructure,” said Hoods.

The Ekurhuleni municipality had not responded at the time of publication.