Nicolyn Avenue leak finally repaired, but excavation remains open
Johannesburg Water has finally fixed the three-month ignored water leak on the pavement of Nicolyn Avenue, but the hole remains and residents are concerned for their children.
Following numerous calls logged, and escalations, Johannesburg Water (JW) has finally fixed a pipe burst that has been pouring out water since November 2024, on Nicolyn Avenue at Maret, but left a massive hole in its wake.
Read more: JW implementing a strategy to improve reinstatement turnaround times
The leak has been troubling residents since it was discovered. JW came, dug a hole, and fixed the leak in February, but, a few days later, it was leaking again.
One of the residents explained that the leak was first reported on November 10, and was sent to Ward 102 councillor Lucinda Harman several times for escalation.
“A repair was done on the leak, but, subsequently, the water was still spraying in the hole,” said the resident. It has now been repaired, but the deep excavation still remains open, and she is concerned that children may fall in the hole and drown, as it is now filled with water.
Also read: No sign of JW as the water keeps gushing out on Kelly Avenue
Nombuso Shabalala, JW spokesperson, explained that JW is actively working on improving turnaround times by streamlining processes and collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure more efficient services. “Delays can happen due to various operational factors. The leak was caused by a sewerage blockage. The inspection has been completed, and the blockage has been addressed. We appreciate your concern and are committed to maintaining efficient service.”
She further stated that their service level agreement (SLA) for water is 48 hours, and 24 hours for sewerage lines. “We are aware of the high volume of sewerage escalations in Randburg and across the city. We prioritize escalations based on their urgency, and are also guided by the volume of emergency escalations we receive. This approach ensures that we address the most critical issues first, while maintaining an efficient response time.”
She added that they are actively addressing the issues and encourage residents to stay informed through regular updates.
Harman has urged the entity to pump out the water and backfill the unsafe hole.
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