A fire hydrant at Ruimsig Stadium continues to leak despite being reported to Johannesburg Water (JW) multiple times.

According to Robert Watchorn, JW has attempted to fix the problem several times in recent months, but each repair only lasted briefly before water began flowing uncontrollably again.

The Roodepoort Northsider reported on the matter in July and sent questions to JW’s communication officer, Nolwazi Dhlamini, about the cause of the recurring leak and plans for a permanent solution. No response has been received.

On Saturday, August 30, Northsider journalist Neliswa Sibiya visited the stadium and found water still spewing from the hydrant.

• Also read: Stadium hydrant leaks despite past repairs

The continuous flow has created large puddles around the hydrant, with nearby grass noticeably greener due to the constant moisture. According to Elite Fire Protection, fire hydrants allow firefighters to tap directly into main water supplies to supplement their emergency tanks. If firefighters cannot connect to a hydrant, they may struggle to extinguish flames, potentially leading to loss of life and property.

The report also refers to the 2021 fire at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, which caused an estimated R40 million in damages and forced the evacuation of 700 patients. Firefighters were unable to connect hoses to hydrant couplings as some had been stolen.

Hydrant leaks can waste up to 1 000 litres of water per minute. While this hydrant appears to be leaking under normal conditions, it is uncertain whether it would function properly in an emergency.

Watchorn added that residents have reported higher water bills since the hydrant began leaking.