Underground water on Koorsboom Street in Randpark Ridge is causing frustration for residents, and a serious problems for their properties.

Water from storm water drains higher up the hill soaks into the ground, flows through homes, and comes up in unexpected spots, damaging both buildings and the road. The state of Koorsboom Street is alarming, as it is slowly collapsing and a nightmare to drive on.

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The road is affected by potholes and sinkholes, it is cracking, and tar is lifting up because of water underneath. The problem is a complex one, and while it has been around for years, residents say it is getting worse, and now there is constant water flowing down the road and into residents’ properties.

Resident Warren Gratz explained that the issue dates back to around 2021, and there seems to be no solution. “In 2021, the first meeting we had, seven of them called out here, and they all looked at us, and said, there is a drainage issue and no budget, and they need to go get a budget.”

In 2022, he sent emails, but they were not returned. “I went to the Ombudsman in 2023, and, again, I think there were six or seven of them there. After I had been emailing, the guys just ignored it.”

His property continues to be affected as water slips inside. “This is killing the plants, because there’s so much water underneath. I actually dug a little hole to start putting a pump in there, to try and pump it into a tank, because there’s so much water. I was forced to redo the paving and the storm water that was falling in. Now it’s wet again.”

Questions were sent to JRA, and they confirmed that their team has scheduled an inspection, and will revert with an update by May 7.

Also read: Kruispad Church water leak repaired after six years

Angelique Aravena has her property on the corner of Medlar Avenue and Koorsboom Street. Water has affected her yard, and her walls are cracked. “We have been in the house for 6 years, and we’ve had all these issues. There is a sinkhole that JRA came and built a cage around, but it is sinking again.

I have cracks on my walls that are caused by the underground water, and the fence wall is falling over. We are in desperate need of help.”

Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs promised to send a letter to the city manager, JRA, and the speaker’s office to urgently address this matter. “This issue first came to my attention in 2022, when we had JRA, and their team of experts come out.

It has now deteriorated to the point where it will be more costly to the city. I am scared that there’s infrastructure damage going to happen to the properties on either side, and the city will be liable.”

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