Metro’s water department working on plans to replace ageing Garsfontein pipes

The Tshwane Metro’s Water and Sanitation Department has set up a dedicated Regional Water Distribution team to address asbestos pipes in Garsfontein in the east of Pretoria in an attempt to stop a spike in pipe bursts and water outages in the area.

This was according to metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.

“The area (in Garsfontein) is being serviced by asbestos pipes which are prone to persistent breakage,” Mashigo explained.

“The Office of the Regional Head in Region 6 has, since the beginning of the spike in bursts, put together a Regional Water Distribution team dedicated to prioritising and swiftly attend to pipe bursts.”

Mashigo said a water tanker was also put on standby to assist with alternative water supply during unplanned interruptions.

“We are looking into other technical matters around the issue such as pressure as well as the impact of heavy rains, considering that the spike in the bursts started around the heavy rain season.”

Mashigo said the water department was busy with the designs of a replacement project which will inform budget requirements. “Once the designs are done and the budget has been made available, the city will commence with the project of replacing that section of the pipeline.

This comes after Ward 45 councillor Elizabeth Basson was inundated with calls and messages from residents who have had up to 26 water outages in 13 days during January.

She said the water infrastructure in Garsfontein is old and needs urgent replacement.

She added that in January, residents of Garsfontein extensions 3, 6 and 8 have faced 18 burst pipes in 13 days, leaving some streets without water for days on end each time.

“The response form the city has been slow at best,” she said.

On Sunday, February 9, a pipe burst on the island between Garsfontein Road and Mendelson Street, causing an outage for residents.

She said a water tanker was called and is still around to provide water to residents.

“The TLB broke on its way to Garsfontein on Sunday February 9, and no other service provider nor the Pretorious Park Depot were able to assist with another TLB.”

She said the tanker was stationed in Keeshond Street at Jimmy Avis Park, between Hilda Botha and Emmie Hartman streets.

A resident in Garsfontein, Mariette Swanepoel, said the water and electricity issue in Garsfontein is a big challenge.

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She said the water outages happen at least once or twice a week.

“On Sunday, the water was off from early in the morning, 07:30 until Monday at 14:30, when it was repaired, but unfortunately on Tuesday morning again we experienced a water outage.”

She said the water and electricity infrastructure in Garsfontein has not been properly maintained over the past couple of years.

Basson added that the mainline pipe from the reservoir experiences constant bursts due to ageing and sometimes the technicians blame heavy rain as the wet soil puts pressure on it.

“This pipes should have been replaced 30 years ago, now they are disrupting the lives of residents.”

“There are two areas in Ward 45 where there are continuous burst water pipes. As a pipe is repaired in the afternoon/evening, the next one bursts only a few hours later.”

She said in January, Garsfontein Ext 10 had 8 burst pipes in 8 days, leaving residents without water over those days.

“Properties flood while technicians take time to come or are not available at night to come and close off the water.”

She said residents, schools and businesses in the affected areas suffer immense hardship and loss of income as they cannot continue their daily operations.

At schools, the lack of toilets that can flush creates serious health issues.

She said currently, the mainline pipes are believed to be replaced when the Garsfontein road upgrades unfold.

Basson assured the residents that pipe replacements will be on the integrated development plan (IDP) as this is the long-term solution that will stabilise the reticulation system and restore people’s dignity.

*Please note this article has been amended

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