Residents in Eldoraigne are expected to benefit from improved water supply reliability following the completion of all pipe replacements included in the area’s water pipeline replacement project that began in September last year.

The Tshwane metro said it is now focusing on final snag work identified during the project close-out.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the revised January 15 deadline for completing all pipeline replacements was met, with no further delays.

Mashigo explained that while most reinstatement work, including road resurfacing and site rehabilitation, has been finalised, some outstanding items remain.

“These have been formally identified and captured on the project completion snag list, which the appointed contractor is currently addressing.”

“The new pipeline has been fully commissioned and is currently operating as intended,” he said.

He added that there have been no changes to the project scope or budget since the last update in December, with the project remaining within its original R5.2-million allocation.

According to Mashigo, residents should not expect any further disruptions in the coming weeks, as the remaining work is limited to completing the identified snags on the completion list.

Ward 69 councillor Cindy Billson said that while the Eldoraigne pipeline project is now close to completion, a pipe burst occurred in the area on January 27, raising concerns among residents. She said the burst was resolved later the same afternoon.

“The intention of the project was to address long-standing failures in ageing infrastructure, and on paper, it should lead to improved reliability and fewer interruptions for residents,” she said.

However, she cautioned that recent incidents indicate challenges may still exist, particularly in relation to workmanship and quality control.

“Whether this project delivers the intended long-term benefits will ultimately depend on proper commissioning, thorough testing, and accountability for any defects identified now,” stated Billson.

She added that residents will need to see consistent performance over time before confidence in the system can be fully restored.

Community liaison officer Chantel Steyl said feedback from the ground has been positive, with the contractor confirming that the project is progressing well and remains up to date. She noted she has received no complaints from residents, even throughout December, despite the scale of the work taking place.

“I am glad about this project because it will improve water supply for residents. The new water pipes are replacing the old pipes, making things better for everyone,” she said.

She added that her role as a link between residents and the contractor has helped ensure communication remains open and concerns are addressed timeously.

Mashigo previously acknowledged that the project had faced delays due to unexpected underground conditions along Colin Road, including excessive hard rock and dense tree root formations that trapped specialised pipe-bursting equipment.

He noted that those challenges slowed progress but did not compromise the structural integrity of the work completed and confirmed that the scope and budget of the project remained unchanged despite the setbacks.

The Eldoraigne water pipeline replacement project has faced multiple delays since construction was initially planned.

However, Mashigo later confirmed that the start was delayed several times due to budget constraints, and a new start date of August was set.

When August came, he explained that the actual commencement date shifted to September 4 due to administrative delays, including the late appointment of the Project Steering Committee and Community Liaison Officer, as well as delays in finalising the EPWP (Expanded Public Works Programme) lottery list.

With the pipeline now commissioned and final snag work underway, the metro says the project is nearing full completion and is expected to deliver the intended improvements for the community.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel