Johannesburg Water under fire over months-long Ferndale leak
A leaking pipe at the corner of Dover Street and Pretoria Avenue in Ferndale continues to waste thousands of litres of drinking water while damaging surrounding roads.
Water continues to run down Dover Street as a major leak at the corner of Pretoria Avenue in Ferndale remains unrepaired for months.
Potholes now cover Oak Avenue as the constant flow affects surrounding roads.
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Ward 102 councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete said it was disgraceful that the leak remained unrepaired after months, with thousands of litres of treated drinking water pouring down the road daily, wasting a precious resource and damaging the road surface.
Campbell-Cloete criticised Johannesburg Water for asking residents to cut back on water use while high demand puts pressure on supply systems.
Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala explained that the entity is experiencing significant strain on its water supply systems due to high consumption.
This increased demand is placing pressure on the bulk water supply system and affecting the ability of reservoirs and towers to maintain sufficient storage.
“Over the past few weeks, as temperatures soared, the City of Johannesburg has continued to experience week-on-week high water consumption,” said Shabalala.
“Residents and businesses are urgently requested to reduce consumption, avoid using drinking water for non-essential activities and comply with the level 1 water restrictions currently in effect.”
Also read: Johannesburg Water explains absence from Blairgowrie meeting
Campbell-Cloete said the irony of the entity urging residents to use water sparingly while the city allowed ongoing wastage was staggering.
“Residents are expected to conserve water while the very entity responsible for managing it fails to stop the loss,” she said.
“I have continued to escalate the matter, but residents deserve action, not endless excuses. This is not just incompetence; it is a failure of accountability, and ratepayers are left to pay the price.”
On July 30, Shabalala attributed the Pretoria Avenue leak to ageing infrastructure and ground vibrations caused by the pipeline’s location in the middle of the road. She confirmed that the entity had plans to replace ageing water infrastructure in the area.
However, implementation was subject to the availability of capital expenditure funding.
Subsequent requests for an update on the leak have been sent to the entity and will be published once received.
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