JW excavation in Craighall Park stalls as JRA awaits work order to repair storm water pipe
JW has a water and sewer pipe replacement project implemented in various areas in order to improve service delivery, reduce water bursts, and reduce sewer blockages and environmental pollution.
The Johannesburg Water (JW) excavation at the corner of St Albans and Buckingham Avenues in Craighall Park continues to stall while a ‘work order’ request has been sent to Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to fix the damaged storm water pipe.
The publication visited the site on October 4 and found the excavation with a broken storm water pipe and litter.
Read more: Ward 90 councillor unimpressed with JRAs progress reinstatement report
JW’s spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala explained that a burst pipe was reported on July 11 and attended to on July 13. “The burst pipe was underneath a storm water drainage pipe, and for JW to reach the water pipe to carry out the repairs, the team had to remove a section of the storm water pipe to gain access to the burst pipe. JW sent a work order request to JRA for the damaged storm water pipe.”
Shabalala added that the water entity remained concerned about the aging infrastructure and was committed to maintaining, renewing, and upgrading the city’s water and sewer infrastructure through the entity’s Pipe Replacement Programme.
Also read: JRA sheds some light on the Riviera and Oxford Road traffic intersection
“The water and sewer pipe replacement projects implemented in various areas are to improve service delivery, reduce water bursts, and reduce sewer blockages and environmental pollution; further prolonging the useful life of infrastructure,” she noted.
Ward 90 councillor Martin Williams said he believed the broken storm water pipe would be replaced since there is new management at the JRA depot.
“My most recent site visit on October 9, showed that JRA had not completed their repairs but I have been assured that the correct orders are in place and the materials are being procured. Preparations for reinstatement are due to begin on October 13.”
JRA’s head of regional operations Khaya Gqibitole noted that the roads agency was aware of the damaged storm water pipe and has engaged JW to realign its water pipes first, enabling JRA to undertake the storm water pipe repairs.
Once they have received work order quotations between both entities, their regional teams can start with the repairs. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by October 25.
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: Illegal excavation in Parkwood contravenes JRA act
