A massive water leak on Riverside Road in Farmall, Randburg, has been flowing for more than two weeks, leaving residents and school staff furious over Joburg Water’s failure to act.

The leak, which runs outside Chartwell Leadership Primary School at Plot 110, was first reported on September 18. Despite promises of a 24-hour response, clean water continues to pour into the street and towards a nearby river.

Read more: Water leak remains unchecked in Blairgowrie

Chartwell Leadership Primary School principal, Simon White, said he feels helpless in the face of Joburg Water’s lack of urgency.

“I was promised a 24-hour response, but it has been four days and nothing has been done. It’s a huge waste of clean water, especially when many communities are struggling with shortages,” he said.

ActionSA Ward 114 constituency chairperson, councillor Sello Mabelebele, visited the site after being called by residents. Standing at the flowing leak, he described the situation as unacceptable.

“This is clean water running into the street while many communities in Johannesburg face shortages. We cannot afford this level of wastage. I will be escalating the matter with Joburg Water,” he said.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Watch: ActionSA Ward 114 constituency chairperson, councillor Sello Mabelebele at the Chartwell Leadership Primary School expresses his continued frustration about the lack of urgency by Joburg Water in resolving the water leak on Riverside Road in Farmall, Randburg. #Ward114 #Johannesburgwater ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Also read: Randburg residents hit hardest by Johannesburg’s water crisis

“By my own estimate, enough water has been lost here to fill 50 swimming pools. This is clean, usable water. It’s unthinkable,” he said.

White explained that he has sent several complaints and emails to the city but has received no meaningful feedback.

“They give you reference numbers, but nothing happens. You wait in call queues, the call drops, and when you finally get through, they promise a 24-hour response. Yet here we are, 14 days later, with water still pouring into the street. It’s immoral and unacceptable.”

Residents and school staff said they are desperate for intervention, warning that the leak highlights the city’s ongoing service delivery failures and poses environmental risks as water flows unchecked into the river.

The Randburg Sun has approached Joburg Water for comment and will provide updates once a response is received.

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