Fresh water still being wasted despite Joburg Water’s feeble efforts
Johannesburg Water has once again failed in its attempt to plug a leak in a notorious leaking pipe.
A freshwater pipe at Kloofendal Nature Reserve has been leaking on and off for more than two years, and despite numerous quick-fix attempts by Johannesburg Water (JW) over that time, it seems to be continuing the large-scale wastage of fresh drinking water.
The pipe has leaked to such an extent that it has formed a stream of its own, connecting downstream with the existing stream which flows from the reserve dam.
Also read: Precious water wasted through leaks in Kloofendal Reserve
The Roodepoort Record has reported on the leaking pipe on several occasions, only for JW to apply a clamp to the damaged section, thereby plugging the leak for a little while.
The pipe, which has been leaking non-stop, sprang an even bigger leak about three weeks ago, prompting officials from Johannesburg City Parks and Zoos, who manage the reserve, to step in.
This resulted in JW once again arriving to repair the pipe, but this time with a brand-new pipe in hand.
Happiness about this development was short-lived once it became apparent the entity’s workers only replaced about three metres, only for it to spring a leak again just beyond the new section.
JW workers left a length of unused pipe discarded in the stream, and a big mess of rubbish, including plastic bags, drinks containers and pipe offcuts lying in the veld – some of it burnt in a fire the workers made.
The Record sent questions regarding the ongoing leakage to JW communications officer Nolwazi Dlamini, who once again missed the deadline for providing answers.
It is common knowledge that the water infrastructure running through the reserve has long passed its operational lifespan, and a photo that surfaced on WhatsApp groups shows the horrific state of the original pipe.
