Seeping water leaves Kew residents fuming

The residents said they had sleepless nights because of the water which spills into their properties.

They said they were told by Joburg Water officials that there was a seeping valve in the intersection of 1st Road and 2nd Avenue, which led to the water running into their properties.

“They don’t care about us at all -maybe it’s because we fall under Alexandra”

One of the residents, Vincent Joseph, said he had to rebuild his walls and plaster some of them again. Joseph said the water that was seeping out from under his paved yard’s surface had caused significant damage. He added the water entity’s officials had ignored his numerous reports, after the first – and only – time they tried to fix the problem.

“City officials came and fixed it. It was fine for about four months, then we had the same problem again, (which has lasted) ever since,” said Joseph.

Another resident, Antony Dos Santos, said he had a problem with water that was running through his property, as he was preparing to build new flats.

“I don’t know what I must do now. I went to report the problem in Johannesburg, Sandton and many other areas, but nothing had been done,” he said.

Joseph said he had tried to build some walls in an effort to divert the water from going inside his house. He described the City’s attitude as “terrible”. He added, “They don’t care about us at all -maybe it’s because we fall under Alexandra. Our walls will fall, I don’t know what else we can do.”

In her response, Joburg Water spokesperson Millicent Kabwe said they were not aware of the problem but they would inspect the matter. Kabwe said, “Unfortunately we are hearing this for the first time and will therefore need to investigate the claims. It would help a great deal in verifying that the residents indeed reported the matter and nothing was done.”

Details: 011-375-5555, 0860-JOBURG (562874), customerservice@jwater.co.za