Water leaks galore
While water restrictions are still in place in Tshwane, problems with the water infrastructure in the metro are wasting litres of fresh water.
Water restrictions are still being enforced in the Tshwane metro.
Hundreds of thousands of litres of fresh water turned some streets in the east into waterways for days because of infrastructure problems.
More water interruptions in the eastern suburbs can also be expected for two days next week, the Tshwane metro has warned.
One of the worst water leaks have been in Garstfontein Road, forcing some shops in the Waterglen Centre to close doors as the water supply dried up.
Fresh water had been streaming out of a pipe in Garstfontein Road for four weeks and although it had been reported to the metro’s water and sanitation department dozens of times, the leak could not be found by contractors.
“The leak has formed a massive hole. It is so bad that someone could easily fall in and drown,” said DA ward councillor Siobhan Muller.
Muller, who had personally reported the leak at least eight times, said in addition to the massive waste of water, the hole also posed a danger to pedestrians and motorists.
“No warning signs or barriers had been erected at the dam of water,” she said.
Muller said contractors had pumped the water out of the hole several times but could not find the cause of the leak.
The metro had also confirmed to her that the cause of the problem could not be established.
“There are thousands of litres of water running down Garsfontein Road daily and our city is facing a water shortage due to drought,” said resident Dionne du Toit.
She said the problem had been reported several times, with photographs, over the past four weeks.
“But it is like talking to a wall,” said Du Toit.
Resident Sanet van Rooyen also reported the water mess to the metro on various occasions.
Last week, when she took photographs of the hole and messy mud dam that the leak had caused, she said there were no municipal workers or contractors at the site.
“I try to save water, only watering my garden between 18:00 and 06:00 as per the restrictions, despite the cold and it not being safe in the dark. Yet water is wasted like this,” she told Rekord.
Two weeks ago, several areas of the city, many in the east, were without water. At the time the metro said it was experiencing a problem with the bulk water supply.
However, it appeared that when the water supply was turned on again, the sudden pressure in the water pipes caused several pipes to burst, turning roads and pavements all over the city into rivers for hours.
Rekord was told that in the process, five reservoirs ran dry, but this could not be confirmed.
The areas in the east affected included Lynnwood, Murrayfield, Silverton, The Willows, Wingate Park, Silver Lakes, part of Faerie Glen and Die Wilgers hospital.
Muller said despite efforts by ward councillors to get the metro to send water trucks to the affected areas, it was not done as the water trucks were being used in Brits.
Next week, water supply interruptions can be expected again, according to the metro.
Scheduled maintenance and upgrading of the water supply network are being undertaken, however interruption of supply is avoided at all costs.
“However, it may be interrupted from time to time on Tuesday, 19 July for 48 hours in the following areas: La Montagne, Die Wilgers, Murrayfield, Mamelodi, Silverton, Garsfontein, Ashlea Gardens, Samcor Park, Silverton, Silvertondale, Villieria, Jan Niemandpark, Waltloo, East Lynne, Rietfontein, Val-de-Grace, Kilner Park, Meyerspark, Equestria, Lynnwood Glen, Lynnwood, Lynnwood Park, Faerie Glen, CSIR, Waverley, Eersterust, Queenswood, Brummeria, Constantia Park, Newlands, Ekklesia, WaterkloofGlen, Moreletapark, Alphenpark, Menlyn and Lynnwood Ridge,” it was stated.
Meanwhile, water restrictions in the metro were still in place.
Gardens may only be watered between 18:00 and 06:0 and pools may not be filled. Hose pipes may also not be used for washing vehicles.
The metro said it would issue a statement once restrictions were lifted.
Also read:
Another hit for city’s water supply
Third day of water issues in city
Water to be restored in parts of Pretoria East and Moot
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