Update on Ward 134 water issues

Ward 134 councillor Wendy Alexander has given an update on the water issues affecting the Boskruin, Northwold and Northgate areas.

“The Johannesburg Water depot over the past few weeks has received many complaints of low pressures and intermittent water supply in the area,” said Alexander.

According to Alexander, depot workers found three bursts on a bulk supply pipe near Aureole Avenue and Northumberland Drive.

“The depot has painstakingly tested and operated all the valves in the area to confirm working condition. They found that a 200mm diameter butterfly valve was faulty.” The butterfly valve was replaced with a more durable gate valve.

“The water supply was restored this morning [13 September] at around 5am, unfortunately the repair has not held.

The depot had to shut down the water supply again at around 9am this morning. The repair will take place once the feeder line is empty and work can commence.”

Water tankers were temporarily placed around the area and will remain there until the job has been finalised.
On 7 September, the Boskruin and Northwold community met with Alexander, Ward 101 councillor Dalu Cele, MMC for Infrastructure and Environmental Services Mpho Moerane and Stanley Itshegetseng of the MMC’s office.

According to Boskruin business owner and host of the meeting, Lorraine Lee, more than 60 concerned residents were in attendance to discuss the water issue, as well as issues regarding the Hawken electricity substation and loadshedding affecting its stability.

“One day last month we were without power for 21 solid hours… Due to one serious water burst on Ysterhout, we were without water for three whole days, nobody can live like this,” said Lee.

“The MMC has asked me to set up another meeting in two weeks so that he can bring City Power and Rand Water to discuss our issues in detail. He stated that he realised that as South African citizens we have our rights and that these matters would be dealt with seriously.”