Centurion residents face days without running water after major pipe bursts
Water tankers were deployed to assist residents at different locations.
A pipe burst that occurred yesterday near Olievenhoutsbosch Road and Jean Avenue has left parts of Centurion without water, affecting residents and businesses in the area.
The affected areas include Highveld, Centurion Golf Estate, Southdowns, Highveld Technopark and Irene.
Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the burst was caused by a 450mm steel pipe operating under high water pressure, which caused strain to the pipe over time, leading to cracks or bursts.
He explained that pipes often corrode due to chemical reactions between the pipe material and the surrounding water or soil.
“We have isolated the leak to avoid water loss, and we anticipate starting the repair work as soon as we receive the necessary equipment,” said Mashigo.
He said the pipe is situated about 9m below the embankment and 3m below the road surface.
“The city aims to complete the repairs by the end of the week if everything goes according to plan,” he added.
Mashigo assured residents that water tankers will be deployed daily, stationed from 08:00 until evening, to assist residents and businesses in the affected areas until the pipe is repaired.
“Water tankers were deployed as of this morning to assist residents in various locations,” he said.
He mentioned that the tankers are stationed at different locations, including Southdowns Shopping Centre to serve the centre, Southdowns Estate, Open Window, and Southdowns College, as well as Highveld Shopping Centre for residents of Highveld and Centurion Golf Estate.
“A water tanker was also provided at the Engen Garage at the corner of Olievenhoutbosch Avenue and John Vorster Drive to serve businesses and residents in Highveld Technopark.”
Mashigo added that the existing pipe has aged and will be replaced to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Many residents in these areas are feeling the impact of the unexpected water supply interruption.
Thandiwe Mthethwa, who lives in Highveld, expressed her frustration.
“This is incredibly inconvenient. We rely on running water for everything, from cooking to bathing.
The fact that we have to wait days for it to be fixed is just unacceptable,” she said.
“I have young children at home, and it’s a struggle to manage without water. I appreciate the water tankers being deployed, but it’s not the same as having a consistent water supply,” added Mthethwa.
She is grateful for the tanker stationed at the Highveld Shopping Centre but worries about the reliability of access over the coming days.
Another resident in the area, Jarad Olifant also shared his concerns about the water supply interruption.
“This situation is becoming increasingly difficult. We were just getting back to some sense of normalcy after other outages, and now this,” he said.
He detailed how residents will now have to plan their daily routines around when the tankers arrive, which may be challenging, especially for families with children or elderly members.
“I hope the city can find a more permanent solution quickly. These pipe bursts are not something we should have to deal with regularly.”
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