No end in sight to Klein Helderkruin’s water problems

Residents of Klein Helderkruin Retirement Centre remain at risk due to the ongoing water problems at the centre.

The Roodepoort Record visited the centre on Wednesday, October 23, undertaking a short tour of the facility with residents, who say that they have been living with constant water problems for over two years.

According to John Hefer, a relative of one of the residents, his sister sustained a nasty fall at the centre on October 6, which left her hospitalised with a broken hip.

“While we cannot say for sure that the fall was due to the water-filled hole next to her front door, or the water and mud that has resulted from the ongoing leakage, it is just a matter of time before one of the elderly residents here sustains a serious injury.

“The underground water infrastructure in the centre is old and dilapidated to such an extent that it is clear the Department of Human Settlements simply cannot keep up with repairs,” Hefer said.

The Record has reported on numerous occasions about the ongoing water infrastructure problems at the centre that have left residents periodically without water, sometimes for weeks on end, while repairs are being conducted.

It has since emerged that the only solution is to completely replace the underground water infrastructure at the centre.

The main road in the centre shows clear signs of water erosion, with the tar surface caving in along the flow of water. Numerous large holes remain uncovered, one of them filled – and overflowing – with fresh water, which runs down the road adding to the significant erosion and resulting in thick mud obstructing access to the sidewalks.

Residents have resorted to constructing crude ‘bridges’ made with loose bricks, which provides precarious footing on the way to dry land.

The Record has learned that, while repairs inside the centre fall under the responsibility of the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Human Settlements, which manages the facility, a Memorandum of Understanding has been undertaken with Johannesburg Water.

The Record has reached out to both entities for comment and will add their input once received.