Relief has swept through parts of Cosmo City after Johannesburg Water confirmed it had repaired the stubborn Boundary Road leak that had been troubling residents since early July.

The leak, traced to a faulty Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV), caused streams of water to run along streets near Tripoli and Mauritania, sparking anger from residents who complained about water loss and delayed repairs.

Read more: Boundary Road leak finally fixed after weeks of delays

The leak was first reported on July 9 this year. A Joburg Water team was dispatched, but engineers soon discovered the valve required specialised parts that were not immediately available. This set back the repair schedule, leaving the community to endure weeks of frustration.

“Joburg Water has been in the process of sourcing the specialised material required for the PRV repairs. This caused a delay in addressing the leak,” said spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala.

Temporary fixes were attempted but failed to hold. “At the time, the issue had been resolved. Unfortunately, the leak reoccurred, indicating that further intervention was required to address the underlying cause.”

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Others raised concerns about property damage, with some residents near the leak experiencing flooding in their yards. Shabalala said affected households could lodge claims. “Any claims for damages are subject to an investigation. Based on the findings, our insurance department will guide possible compensation.”

Shabalala defended the utility’s response to the leak, saying initial fixes appeared successful at the time. She emphasised that Joburg Water had systems in place to track every reported fault. “Each reported fault is assigned a unique reference number, which allows both the customer and Joburg Water to track progress. This system ensures transparency and enables follow-ups throughout the repair process.”

The Boundary Road leak is not an isolated issue. Ward 114, which includes parts of Cosmo City, has experienced recurring water leaks and bursts over the past year. Community leaders said the ageing infrastructure was struggling to cope with the area’s rapid growth.

Shabalala acknowledged the problem. “Where a pattern of repeated leaks is confirmed, we engage our Infrastructure Planning team to assess whether upgrades or more extensive interventions are required in the ward.”

For now, the Boundary Road repair has brought visible relief.
“The completion of the PRV repairs will effectively stop water from flowing into private properties,” said Shabalala, who added that the repair is expected to hold.

As Johannesburg Water continues to monitor leaks in the area, residents hope that Cosmo City’s water challenges will be taken more seriously and addressed with long-term planning. For a community that has endured weeks of wasted water and disrupted supply, the repair is a win but also a reminder of the urgent need for lasting infrastructure investment.

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