Taps run dry while street leak flows
Clean water flows into sewers while taps remain dry on Edward Street, leaving frustrated residents begging for repairs after three weeks of ignored reference numbers.
Residents of Edward Street in Kensington B have been stuck without a proper water supply for three weeks. There is growing anger over a leak down the road that keeps wasting clean water while their taps are dry.
Even though people have reported the problem many times and received reference numbers, nobody has come to fix it. As a result, homes either have no water at all or just a weak trickle.
Ivan Green, an 84-year-old resident, explained how hard it is to cope with the daily struggle.
“It trickles out of the tap, so we put up with the trickle,” Green said. He explained that simple things like washing have become difficult. “If we want to wash, we boil water. For bathing, we use a bird bath.”
Read more: Frustration for ward councillor as 3-year-old water leak goes unfixed
He added that doing laundry is now impossible because the machine cannot function without better water pressure.
“The washing just doesn’t happen. The machine needs a lot of water, and when it’s only trickling, it simply can’t work.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth Watch: Clean water continues to flow down the street while taps remain dry on Edward street in Kensington B leaving residents frustrated. Video: Nkazimulo Ncube #Randburg #Kensingtonb ♬ original sound Caxton Joburg North
Green does not feel hopeful that things will get better anytime soon. “I’m not expecting to have a decent water supply for at least another three weeks,” he said, noting how upsetting it is to realise they have already been left like this for so long.
He also raised concerns about the visible leak nearby, where he has seen clean water running straight into the drains.
Also read: Church Street leaks fixed, but road not restored
“They say the reservoirs are running low, but if potable water is flowing into the sewer, that’s why,” he said. “It’s a big waste.”
He questioned whether it was fair to restrict residents when the system itself is broken. “Why should residents suffer for water that is being wasted?” he asked.
Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer confirmed the matter has been escalated. She said she was told the issue is being looked into, but there is no clear date for repairs or when the water will be back.
Johannesburg Water had not responded to questions at the time of writing. Residents say they will keep pushing for action because living without water for weeks affects their health and basic dignity.
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