A flooded excavation on Northfield Avenue in Glenhazel continues to be an eyesore while Johannesburg Water investigates a new leak in the area.

Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala previously confirmed that water accumulating in the excavation was groundwater, and not the result of a pipe burst.

Read more: 2nd Avenue storm water drain remains broken

“The prolonged presence of water in the excavation is due to continuous groundwater ingress, which has delayed the safe completion of the reinstatement works.”

The spokesperson explained the process of assessing underground water, saying the Johannesburg Water team usually took samples to test groundwater.

She said the team advised Johannesburg Roads Agency on managing the issue, recommending water sleeves and other methods to ensure groundwater did not affect infrastructure.

Shabalala added that the turnaround time to resolve groundwater issues depended on the water table and the methodology used. However, the Johannesburg Water team was on site working on a new water leak recently because groundwater was not the only contributor.

Also read: Orange Grove residents lose clean water in flooding excavation

“There is also water flowing from the upper road, and the team is investigating the source to repair the water leak.”

Ward 72 councillor Daniel Schay expressed his dissatisfaction with Johannesburg Water’s turnaround time.

“Johannesburg Water seems to be incapable of fixing anything timeously. To my knowledge, we have more than 10 active water leaks in Ward 72 that are escalated daily to Johannesburg Water.”

Schay added that this showed the entity’s inability to get on top of such issues and that a review of its standard operating procedures was required because the city could not afford to lose any more water.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!