Highveld residents fed up with water woes, excuses
Frustrated residents are running out of patience as ongoing water outages disrupt their daily lives.
Residents in Highveld are growing increasingly frustrated with the constant water supply disruptions.
They are clinging to the hope that the Tshwane metro’s proposed solutions will finally bring lasting relief to their water woes.
MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, recently assured residents that the metro remains firmly committed to ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply for all Highveld residents.
She acknowledged the disruptions were caused by the major breakdown of a 450mm steel pipe that supplies the area.
Morodi explained that the metro is implementing both short- and long-term solutions to resolve the crisis.
“As an interim measure, the city has begun constructing a temporary 60m bypass that will link the sectioned-off part of the 450mm steel pipe across the river,” she said.
“This project is progressing well and is expected to be completed by the end of the month.”
For a more permanent fix, Morodi said the metro will relocate a 200m portion of the 450mm steel pipe out of the riverbed.
She said this solution aims to enhance the network’s resilience.
“This project includes the installation of a new galvanised 450mm steel pipe as well as the construction of scour valve chambers to protect the infrastructure.”
Morodi added that the completion of the project is scheduled for the end of July.
She also said Tshwane is committed to keeping residents informed throughout the repairs and will continue engaging actively with the affected communities.
“We will ensure concerns are addressed timeously and solutions are implemented efficiently,” she said.
The MMC also reassured residents that restoring and improving water reliability in the region remains a top priority.
“We express our sincere appreciation for the patience and co-operation demonstrated by our community during this period.”
Last month, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya visited residents of Centurion Golf Estate affected by the problem.
This afternoon, we met with residents of Centurion Golf Estate who have been inundated for several weeks by a problematic Highveld Water line. This pipe has burst several times. The City plans to fix the issue by removing the line from beneath the Hennops River – resolving… pic.twitter.com/LzVmcV8VqY
— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) April 22, 2025
At the time, Moya said the pipe had burst several times, and the metro planned to resolve the issue by removing it from under the Hennops River.
Moya explained that this would not only help stabilise supply but also address concerns about river pollution.
However, residents in Highveld were not comforted by the timeline.
They said they have endured enough and are tired of living without this basic necessity.
Eugen Keller said the situation has become unbearable.
“Although supply was restored in the first week of May, we still wake up every day not knowing whether we’ll have water.
“Bathing, cooking, and cleaning require water, so when there isn’t any, it becomes a struggle,” Keller said.
He added that despite the metro’s promises, there is little confidence in the city’s ability to deliver.
“It’s always one excuse after the other. We’ve had enough of plans, we want reliability.”
Keller also said that water outages have become a recurring nightmare in the community and pointed out that even the smallest tasks have become logistical headaches.
“Imagine having to plan your entire day around whether the tankers have arrived. This isn’t how people are supposed to live.”
Brenda Ngcobo, a mother of two who works from home, said whenever there is no water in the area, her daily routine becomes a constant battle.
“Everyday tasks feel like impossible missions,” she said.
“I have to think twice before doing laundry, washing my children’s school uniforms or even making a meal.”
Ngcobo said that while the metro’s updates may sound promising on paper, they don’t ease the daily burden.
“What the city doesn’t understand is how deeply disruptive this is. We’re not just inconvenienced; we are living under constant stress.
“You can’t focus on your job or your family when the basics aren’t even guaranteed.”
She said it is unfair that residents have to complain first before receiving services.
“We’re not asking for luxury, just water. That should not be too much to ask.”
Jordan Steenkamp, who has lived in Highveld for over a decade, was equally frustrated.
“Relying on water tankers is not enough,” he said.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve had to go through this. In March, we had no water for days.”
He said the metro sent tankers, and people had to queue at Southdowns Centre just to get a few litres.
Steenkamp recalled how chaotic that was, especially for families and elderly residents.
“The tankers often ran out of water quickly. We were left scrambling, again and again.”
He added that residents faced similar problems in January and have grown weary of what feels like a never-ending cycle of breakdowns and patchwork solutions.
“We’re tired of being told to be patient. It’s the same story every time. Something breaks, we wait, we suffer, and nothing changes.”
During a public meeting in the area on May 7, Ward 65 Councillor Gert Visser addressed residents’ concerns and provided further clarity on the situation.
Visser confirmed that water pressure had significantly improved across all areas in Highveld, due to recent actions taken by the metro.
He urged residents in lower-lying areas to remain mindful of their consumption.
“Residents in lower-lying areas are requested to use water sparingly so residents in higher-lying areas may experience improved water pressure.”
Visser added that water is currently being supplied via the Doornkloof reservoir through Irene and supplemented by a local borehole.
“However, this is still insufficient to meet Highveld’s full demand,” he said.
Visser also emphasised that the metro needs to do better in how it communicates with residents.
“Official communication from the city should be improved as a matter of urgency.”
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