50 000 water leaks in Tshwane annually
To replace and fix the ageing water infrastructure in certain areas of Pretoria will cost the Tshwane metro more than R2 billion – money the city does not have.
The Tshwane metro area currently experiences about 50 000 water leaks per year and would need more than R2 billion to completely overhaul infrastructure that long exceeded its life cycle. “It is obvious from the figures in the budget that the city’s coffers will not be able to cover these needs.”
This was the dire warning of Tshwane executive mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa when he delivered his 2015/16 budget address to the council on Friday. Although it appeared from his speech that water leaks occurred throughout the city, Rekord has been inundated with calls from residents in the east of the city specifically for several months, with complaints about leaks and burst pipes.
Although no details were given, Ramokgopa announced that a total of R802,5 million of his R29 billion budget had been allocated for infrastructure projects in the new financial year. Of that amount, water and sanitation would receive R355 million.
He said R90 million would be spent on the refurbishment of networks and backlogs, R59 million on bulk pipe replacements, R57,5 million on reservoir extensions and R80 million on the lengthening of networks and pipelines.
Only R18 million has been budgeted for the replacement of worn out pipes.
He said as part of a programme to eliminate water losses, the city would deploy workers to implement the War on Leaks programme. “Tshwane is located in one of the most water-stressed geographical areas in the world, where national water losses are estimated at 36% of the total water resources of the country.
“Within Tshwane, with its vast geographical expanse and intricate web of bulk services, the main causes of real water losses are undetectable leaks, burst pipes, as a result of ageing infrastructure and illegal connections,” the mayor said, adding that some 50 000 leaks were experienced each year.
He said R152 million had been allocated to ensure a response time of less than 48 hours to water leaks. The mayor announced a 13,5% increase in the water tariffs for the city for 2015/16 and said the increase was based on the expected 13,5% increase to the metro by Rand Water.
The mayor did not specifically address the spate of water leaks and burst pipes in the east of the city, but the metro earlier said it was waiting for special funds to address the problem. Meanwhile, the Pretoria East bulk water installation project at the reservoir in Waverley is nearing completion.
In Moreleta Park, contractors are currently working on the bridge over Rademeyerspruit and earthworks are being filled up and the pavement restored. According to community liaison officer for the project, Jeannie du Plessis, the tarred road as well as curbs would be restored.
In Gary and Tucker streets in Waterkloof Glen, the curbs have already been replaced, but the tar surface must still be rehabilitated. Concerning the corners of Garstfontein and January Masilela drives, most of the work has been completed, all that remains is for the bulk water pipes to be connected and covering to be done, Du Plessis reported.
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