Johannesburg Water (JW) has failed to repair the burst pipe on Nerina Street, Kensington B, as it continues to spray water.

Five months have passed since the matter was first reported, but the entity has no solution so far, despite two failed repair attempts.

Read more: JW still has no answer for burst on Nerina Street

The water has been causing further damage to the pavement, and an excavation, made to expose the pipe, has left rubble and a hole in one of the lanes of the road, forcing motorists to use the other lane, causing traffic delays.

In April, Nombuso Shabalala, spokesperson for JW, said the repair needed special material, which, at the time, the depot did not have in storage. As a result, an order had to be placed for the material. The pipe was then repaired, on April 11, but then burst again. The pipe has been left spraying water since then.

@caxtonjoburgnorthWater continues to spray out of the five-month burst on Nerina Street in Kensington B. Johannesburg Water has failed to repair the pipe, resulting in clean, fresh water going to waste. #Waterleak #JW

♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

When asked about the cause of the burst, Shabalala explained that there is a combination of factors, including fluctuations in working and residual pressures, time of day, demand, usage, etc. “The latter variables lead to air pockets entering the system that can, ultimately, result in a water hammer.” The term: water hammer, refers to a pressure surge from a rapid change in the flow velocity, where pressure at the point of the burst exceeds the design pressure of the pipeline. “This phenomenon is often exacerbated by ageing infrastructure, subsoil conditions, high water table, seasonal temperature fluctuations, and other factors beyond the control of JW.”

More questions were sent to JW, and their reply will be published once made available.

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