Johannesburg Water (JW) spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala has confirmed that the entity is aware of the recurring leak on Pretoria Avenue in Ferndale.

The leak has been unattended for months, while water is flows down the road. In July 2025, the area experienced a major leak, resulting in a water outage for over three days. JW attended to and fixed the leak, restoring the road, but a year later, a new leak has emerged in the same area.

Read more: Months long water leak frustrates Ferndale residents

Shabalala said the previous repair was intended to be permanent. “The damaged section of the steel pipeline was replaced during the previous repair.”

She said that the existing pipeline is a steel pipe, which has deteriorated over time due to corrosion. As the pipe’s protective coating wears away, it becomes more susceptible to rust and leaks. “This is due to ageing infrastructure and ground vibrations, as the pipeline is located in the middle of the road. Both are contributing factors to the leak on Pretoria Avenue.”

Shabalala said that the affected steel pipeline will need to be replaced with new infrastructure. “Johannesburg Water has plans to replace ageing water infrastructure in the area. However, implementation is subject to the availability of CAPEX funding. While the leak contributes to physical water losses within the network, it has not affected water supply to customers in the area.”

Also read: Bram Fischer Drive water leak repair now complete

Despite water supply not being affected, the leak remains an eyesore, especially for businesses nearby, while the constant running water has caused damage on Harley Street.

Martha Tsela, a tenant at the flat opposite the leak and an estate agent, said that it is disappointing, and speaks to a lack of internal quality control for repairs within the JW team. “Pipes do burst from time to time; it is unavoidable due to the age of much of the infrastructure. However, what is not acceptable is a lack of ownership, monitoring, and resolution of the problem.”

She added that the problem has persisted for years, not a few days. So, one would have hoped that, when the entity performed repairs, they would have thoroughly assessed the problem and come up with a long-term solution. “The leak creates an unsightly site which detracts from the beauty of our area, and makes it look rundown and uncared for. Both factors affect the desirability of this part of Randburg for customers of a property rental business and, ultimately, the monetary value of such real estate assets. Further, damage to the road not only blocks the flow of traffic, which is a major inconvenience; resultant potholes damage the car tyres of customers moving in and about the area.”

No timeline on when the repairs will be started was shared by the entity. Ward 102 councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete said over the past several months, numerous promises have been made that the leak would be repaired, yet no meaningful action has followed. “It is deeply concerning that a critical infrastructure failure of this nature can remain unresolved for such an extended period, while thousands of litres of treated drinking water are wasted every hour. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and hold JW accountable until this repair is finally completed.”

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