Johannesburg Water has confirmed that the team are unable to locate the reported recurring major water leak in Boksruin, despite fixing it before.

Water has been gushing from an underground pipe, creating a pond next to a resident’s fence for months. It has been reported and escalated by the ward councillor and residents several times.

Read more: Joburg Water struggles to locate leak on Kelly Avenue

Entity spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala explained that the entity currently has no recorded evidence, or confirmed reports, of the recurring leak at the specified location. She said that the matter remains under review, and any additional information, or precise location details, provided will assist in verifying and addressing the concern promptly. “A technical team was dispatched. However, the team was unable to locate the reported leak on site. Further investigation will be prioritised once more precise location details are provided. At this stage, the root cause cannot be conclusively determined, as the reported leak could not be located during the site inspection. A detailed assessment will be conducted once the exact location of the leak is identified.

“Once the exact source of the leak is identified, the technical team will immediately mobilise the site and undertake swift, effective repair actions to address the issue comprehensively. We remain committed to ensuring a prompt and sustainable resolution, with full rectification of the matter to be achieved within 48 hours of confirming the leak location.”

Despite water pumping out of the pipe for months there is currently no impact on water supply or water pressure in the surrounding areas. “The service remains stable and unaffected at this stage, with continuous monitoring in place to ensure ongoing reliability.

“Upon locating the source of the leak, the accumulated water will be drained, and the area will be fully reinstated to mitigate any health and safety risks.”

Also read: Pretoria Avenue pipe burst remains a concerning issue

Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp said that the explanation that Johannesburg Water is struggling to locate the leak simply doesn’t hold up well, especially if teams have attended the same site before. “That points to either a recurring failure not being properly resolved, or poor record-keeping and co-ordination within the entity. Neither is a valid excuse. What should be happening is a proper technical investigation, pressure testing, isolation of sections, and engagement with residents who originally reported the leak to narrow it down. This is basic fault-finding, not guesswork.”

He promised to escalate the matter further and push for both accountability and a clear plan to locate and fix the leak properly.

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