CapEx budget to fund urgent Julius Jeppe Street pipe upgrades
Ageing asbestos pipes on Julius Jeppe Street are set for long-overdue replacement, with the metro confirming the repairs will be prioritised under its Capital Expenditure budget after yet another burst disrupted residents.
The metro has confirmed that ageing pipes on Julius Jeppe Street will be prioritised for repair under the CapEx (Capital Expenditure) budget, following yet another pipe burst.
Residents are still frustrated, although the metro has repaired the persistent water leak that had once again disrupted the area.
The quick response comes after repeated complaints from residents about recurring bursts along the ageing water infrastructure.
Resident Ian Fuller, who raised concerns about the ongoing problem back in July, welcomed the repair but expressed frustration at the repeated disruptions.
“It has been a problem for years, and every time there’s a burst, it affects our daily lives,” he said.
“The leak was indeed in a different spot, but it was due to old asbestos pipes that they promised to upgrade in council.”
Fuller said the metro does not understand the damage the leaks cause to their taps, valves and sidewalks.
According to him, the metro had promised to upgrade the old asbestos pipes at the beginning of July, but it’s now August, and nothing has been done.
Ward 82 councillor Siobhan Muller confirmed the leak had been fixed and urged the metro to prioritise upgrades to the ageing pipes.
“I am aware of the leak, and it has now been repaired.”
Muller previously launched a petition calling for the pipe upgrade, stating that the existing pipes were weak and had exceeded their expected lifespan.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo explained that the burst occurred on a 75 mm asbestos pipe that has long surpassed its lifespan.
He said this leak was at a new spot, and not the same location as previous bursts.
“Each time a burst occurs, operational teams replace the broken portion of pipe with uPVC [unplasticised polyvinyl chloride] pipe.”
According to Mashigo, service requests are attended to immediately, and valves are isolated to prevent water loss.
He explained that the area has old asbestos pipes that have long exceeded their lifespan and urgently need to be upgraded.
“The relevant unit has been sensitised to this urgent request, as it falls under the CapEx budget.”
He added that the metro has received six complaints from Julius Jeppe Street this year, all of which were promptly addressed.
“Safety measures, including barricading trenches and backfilling where necessary, are always put in place to protect motorists and pedestrians,” said Mashigo.
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