Residents in Wendywood, and surrounding suburbs, are facing growing frustration over repeated water pipe failures, lengthy outages, and concerns about ageing infrastructure, following another burst along a key bulk supply line.
Ward 109 councillor Lori Coogan said the affected pipeline is part of a 400mm asbestos cement bulk line supplying Wendywood, Gallo Manor, Marlboro Gardens, and Kelvin. The line has reportedly burst five times in the past four years, causing flooding, water outages, and disruptions for residents. “These suburbs are what we call direct-feed suburbs. They don’t have a reservoir buffer. When the system is throttled or a pipe bursts, they feel the impact immediately.”
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According to Coogan, water supply was recently shut off for about 12 hours as the system was throttled to stabilise pressure and manage repairs. The shutdown began around 16:00 and supply was only restored early the following morning, with some residents reporting delays in water returning due to air trapped in the pipelines.
She said residents were notified of the shutdown shortly before it occurred, leaving little time for households to prepare. “People were told just after midday that water would be shut off later that afternoon. Many were already at work and couldn’t make arrangements.”
The councillor warned that ongoing pressure fluctuations in the ageing pipe network could trigger further bursts. “When water pressure is reduced and then restored, the shock can cause these old pipes to fail again.”
Coogan is now appealing to the City of Johannesburg to consider installing a new pipeline, using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) technology. Known as HDPE piping, the material is lighter, flexible, and easier to install than traditional pipe systems.
She said the pipeline connecting the affected area to the Marlboro reservoir is approximately 2.25km long, and that an HDPE replacement could potentially be installed at a fraction of the cost of conventional infrastructure replacement. “We have been told replacing the pipeline would cost around R100m, but this technology could cost less than a fifth of that amount.”
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She has appealed to city leadership to consider piloting the alternative system along the stretch between Dalton Road and the Marlboro reservoir.
Coogan also raised concerns about worker safety during pipe repairs, saying photographs taken at a repair site appeared to show workers handling asbestos cement pipe without full protective equipment. “When asbestos materials are cut or broken, fibres can become airborne. That exposure can lead to serious health conditions, such as asbestosis.” Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibres.
@caxtonjoburgnorth Ward councillor Lori Coogan is calling for urgent intervention to address ageing water infrastructure in Wendywood on March 5, 2026. Video: Duduzile Khumalo #Localnews #caxtonlocalmedia #johannesburg #Communitynews #newsupdate #SA #Servicedelivery #Sandton ♬ original sound Caxton Joburg North
The councillor said workers should be wearing appropriate protective equipment when handling asbestos-based infrastructure. She added that Johannesburg is estimated to have thousands of kilometres of asbestos cement piping still in use across the city.
Coogan said repeated pipe failures in Wendywood highlight the urgent need for long-term infrastructure planning. “We can’t keep patching sections every time something breaks. At some point we have to replace these ageing pipes properly.”
Questions have been sent to Johannesburg Water regarding the repeated pipe bursts, worker safety protocols, and whether alternative pipeline technologies are being considered. Their reply will be published as soon as it is received.
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