Residents frustrated by unattended roadworks
The entity says they are aware that there is a huge backlog of backfilling and reinstatements around the city.
Residents have expressed growing frustration over holes left unattended by Johannesburg Water (JW) during or after repairs on roads and pavements. These unfilled excavations often deteriorate into potholes or even sinkholes.
The Roodepoort Record previously highlighted several such cases, including Buuren Street in Witpoortjie, Witteberg Close in Helderkruin, and a recent one on Ontdekkers Road in Delarey. Some of these sites have remained untouched for months, prompting outrage from the community.
• Also read: JW’s mess remains on street for months, causing traffic disruptions
The Record approached Johannesburg Water for comment. Spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala acknowledged the significant backlog of backfilling and reinstatement work across the city. She said JW is working around the clock, in partnership with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), to address the issue.
Shabalala explained that the standard turnaround time for backfilling is five days, allowing repairs to dry and ensuring there are no further bursts. The turnaround time for reinstatements is 10 days.
“However, these timelines are affected by various factors, including the scale of the work involved. Some backfilling and reinstatement jobs are handled internally by JW teams, while medium- to large-scale projects fall under the JRA,” she said.
Other delays are caused by the current backlog, limited resources, and adverse weather conditions, as repair work cannot be done during rainy or wet weather.
“Because work is scheduled according to available capacity, some jobs may take longer to complete,” she added.
Ageing infrastructure also contributes to the problem. As the number of bursts increases, so does the number of excavations – placing further strain on both financial and human resources.
“In the case of JW-handled excavations, the process starts with the water repair team completing the necessary work. Once done, a separate job card is created for the reinstatement phase, noting the additional work required. Sometimes, further bursts or leaks occur on the same pipeline after initial repairs, leading to additional delays,” Shabalala explained.
“If a reinstatement job needs to be completed by the JRA, a formal work request is submitted. This structured approach ensures that all tasks are properly documented and managed.”
She also advised residents whose property has been damaged during repair work to contact their nearest Johannesburg Water Depot and request assistance from the Customer Care Officer.
“In line with our standard operating procedures, the matter will then be escalated to our Insurance Department for further investigation,” she concluded.
