Johannesburg Water confirmed to the Gazette on August 27 that it was working around the clock to fix the burst pipe on Glenhove Road and Central Street in Houghton.

The publication, on August 25, reported that the excavation and water flowing from it onto the M1 posed a danger to motorists.

Johannesburg Water spokesperson, Nombuso Shabalala, said that the entity had conducted temporary repairs on the burst pipe, however, due to the severely deteriorated condition of the pipe, it failed.

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“The complexity of the repair is significant as the pipe is a critical main that crosses beneath the M1 highway bridge and supplies Houghton Estate, Melrose, Rosebank and the surrounding areas. Where the burst pipe is, there is insufficient working space as the pipe is too close to the concrete bearing structure of the bridge.”

@caxtonjoburgnorth A burst pipe on Glenhove Road and Central Street in Houghton. #Rosebank #Johannesburgwater ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Shabalala added that the repair was not a simple fix as it required a specialised contractor. He said they had conducted an emergency request for quote and a site briefing about the next steps.
“We are expecting this process of appointing the service provider to be concluded by September 5.”

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The spokesperson highlighted that as an interim measure, the Johannesburg Water operations team would be dispatched to the site to reinforce the barricades on the road around the excavation, to ensure the road was safe for motorists.

“We will also reassess methods to better manage the water flow to minimise further erosion to the road surface and the bridge structures until the contractor can mobilise.”

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