Johannesburg Water (JW) has fixed the major leak at the intersection of Bram Fischer Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue.
The leak frustrated residents, motorists and businesses for months, with thousands of litres of clean water being lost. However, JW has left a big hole in the middle of the road.

The repaired leak, the second at the same location within a few months, has resulted in Ward 102 councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete raising concerns about ageing infrastructure in the area. “In my view, this is evidence of a much bigger infrastructure problem. When a major water pipe is repaired and then fails again within a relatively short period, we must ask whether we are treating the symptom, rather than the cause. In my opinion, the pipeline needs to be replaced, however, the funding from a capital expenditure point of view is not available.”

Read more: Months long water leak frustrates Ferndale residents

She said that the infrastructure in the area is ageing, and the area is subjected to repeated bursts and water losses, which are not sustainable. “The city needs to move away from a cycle of emergency repairs and start prioritising the replacement of ageing infrastructure where the evidence shows that repairs are no longer providing a reliable solution.”

For Cambell-Cloete and residents, repeated temporary repairs are no longer enough. They want a permanent solution and clear answers about why the same section of infrastructure continues to fail. “The city needs to change from a predominantly reactive approach to a proper preventative infrastructure-management approach. If a particular section of infrastructure repeatedly fails, that history must inform the city’s maintenance and capital planning. We cannot continue spending money on repeated emergency repairs without asking whether replacement would be more cost-effective and provide residents with a reliable service.

“The cycle of burst pipe, temporary repair, failed repair, more water loss, is ultimately costing residents twice. First, through the loss of millions of litres of treated water, and then through repeated repair costs.”

Also read: Taps run dry while street leak flows

She added that the entity needs to identify infrastructure that is reaching the end of its useful life, prioritise replacement, improve the quality and monitoring of repairs, and provide councillors and residents with clear information about what is being done and by when. “Residents are not asking for miracles. They are asking for competent infrastructure management, accountability, and a reliable water service.”

Despite the leak being fixed the road is yet to be restored. Questions were sent to JW on July 13 with numerous follow ups. The communication team said they are awaiting feedback from the relevant depot. Their response will be published once made available.

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