Pavement left to own devices after pipe fix
"When the municipality responds quickly to a broken water pipe, you can be sure that something else is bound to go wrong," said Sophy Lekgotla
POLOKWANE – “When the municipality responds quickly to a broken water pipe, you can be sure that something else is bound to go wrong,” said Sophy Lekgotla, an employee of one of the businesses in 19th Street in Industria.
Businesses in 19th Street reported a broken water pipe on the corner of 19th and Potgieter Streets. Municipal workers fixed the pipe on Saturday, November 9, but rubble from digging at the site has still not been collected.
According to business owners, the workers dug up the pavement when they fixed the pipe. They covered the site with sand only, which has since been left exposed to the recent heavy rains.
Municipal spokesperson, Matshidiso Mothapo, said the clean-up of any rubble left behind after the completion of a job should be done within 72 hours.
“Broken water pipes are fixed by the water and sanitation section and, in terms of processes, after they have repaired the pipe, they cover it up. Because they are not equipped to replace the tarmac or paving, they will then generate a report to the roads and storm water section to replace the surface.
“It normally does not take more than two weeks before the surface is fixed. The public is encouraged to report such cases to the municipality at (015) 290 2372/2376,” said Mothapo.
