Louise Botha sewer upgrades affected by several factors
The Louise Botha Sewer upgrades is between 70% and 85% complete at the moment with the completion expected to be 15th February 2022.
Ongoing challenges delay the Louise Botha Sewer upgrades.
Speaking in Norwood on November 15, Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett said the project began last year in November when it was supposed to last three months.
“This is a sewer upgrade project, but stormwater drain issues are also being addressed. The stormwater has proven to be a challenge because the sewer pipes and stormwater pipes run concurrently or on top of each other which is a problem.”
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The ward 73 councillor explained that the pipes and drains were being replaced from Victoria to Louis Botha Road.
Johannesburg Water’s acting manager Puleng Mopeli added that the project was divided into four phases.
“The contracts were awarded in 2021, however, construction commenced in November 2021 with an initial eight-month construction duration. The projects are now between 70% and 85% complete at the moment with the completion expected to be 15th February 2022.”
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Huggett noted that the major challenge faced by contractors onsite was clay sand which made the piping process difficult.
Mopeli expressed that the project was delayed due to several factors.
“The following delayed the project: several community and business forum work stoppages, extended lead times for imported material which had to be freighted by ship, sensitivity in working in wetlands and protected park areas, and the recent rainfall.”
The ward 73 councilor concluded that the entire sewer system should have been replaced at least 30 years ago, and due to the deterioration in the infrastructure, more problems would have to be addressed by contractors during the project.
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