Kya Sand informal settlement struggles with burst pipes
KYA SANDS – Informal settlement residents complain that it is difficult to report burst pipes in their area.
KYA SAND – Burst pipes continue to cause concern for residents of Kya Sands informal settlement, with reports of pipes remaining unsolved.
Rosta Mashabane said it took her about a month to get a burst pipe, which was gushing clean water, repaired. “It only [lasted] two days and it burst again. I called the City and they promised to come back but they did not,” Mashabane said.
She complained that it was extremely difficult to report problems to the City of Johannesburg and their ward councillor. “We are often caught in a situation where we don’t know where to report problems in our settlement.”
Ward 96 councillor Sbusiso Mthembu said residents seldom report problems which require the City’s attention. “Residents should report these problems to the City and, if nothing is being done, they can then escalate them to me with a reference number so that I can follow up,” Mthembu said.
Spokesperson for Johannesburg Water, Tidimalo Chuene confirmed the leak in the settlement. She said a service request was logged, but repairs have not yet been completed. “Accessibility to the area is still a challenge, especially with the rains, however, it is on the priority list for attention by the relevant depot,” Chuene said.
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She explained that servicing informal settlements was difficult in that not all the relevant systems, such as proper addresses and contact details of residents, were available. “It is, therefore, difficult to send them information messages or alerts like the rest of the formalised areas.”
Chuene said the entity has a public education programme that uses community meetings and school visits as channels of communicating with residents who do not have access to online media platforms.
“There were some engagements in the past and there are plans in place to continue to educate residents on channels and platforms which can be used to reach and access Johannesburg Water’s services.”
Residents can report these problems to their local community representatives such as councillors and ward committee members.
The entity has a 24-hour hotline where customers can log their inquiries.
Details: Johannesburg Water 011 375 5555/0860 562 874 or SMS line 082 653 2143 or customer@jwater.co.za
