A massive pipe burst at the corner of Dale Lace Avenue and Knoppiesdoring Street in Randpark Ridge has left thousands of households across Randburg without water for days.

The leak, which is affecting three reservoirs: Olivedale, Boschkop, and Honeydew, and nearly 20 suburbs across Randburg, is placing significant pressure on the local water network, disrupting daily life for residents.

Read more: Ward councillor vows to fight to have Ferndale burst repaired

The Johannesburg Water (JW) team was dispatched to attend to the burst pipe. So far, the excavation has been completed, allowing the team to assess the damage and determine the materials required for the repair.

Nombuso Shabalala, JW spokesperson, explained that following the completion of the excavation and assessment of the damage and repairs, the entity’s internal technical team will source the required material for the repairs.

“We are also consulting an external service provider in parallel, should there be challenges encountered with the first approach. Alternative water supply will be provided to affected areas.”

Also read: Robin Hills residents hit by a new water outage after another pipe burst

She confirmed that customers in the affected areas will continue to experience water supply interruptions until repairs are completed. “There is currently no estimated time of restoration. The entity will ensure resources are fully available and dedicated to the repairs until completed.

Further updates will be provided once the required materials have been sourced and repair work is ready to proceed.”

For Ward 139 councillor Devon Steenkamp, the incident has highlighted the vulnerability of Randburg’s water infrastructure, and the far-reaching consequences of a major network failure.

He explained that the burst has been going on for quite a while now, rumoured to be a week, and the entity only decided yesterday to really take action.

“They had to isolate it by shutting off three reservoirs, because they have done so much back feeding and connecting pipes over the years, and have not kept records.

Also read: Constant bursts and water outages frustrate residents in Robin Hills

“A simple little burst pipe, which normally can be isolated by street corners, has to affect three reservoirs, affecting over 50 to 100 000 people with no water supply.”

Residents have expressed growing frustration as the prolonged outage continues, with many questioning why the leak has taken so long to be attended to.

“It is a big challenge,” resident Rajen Rijal said. “We have ongoing problems here. Every time a pipe bursts it is a big challenge, and takes a week or two for the entity to come and attend.”

He pleaded with the entity to treat the issue on Knoppiesdoring Street as urgently as possible.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!