A water leak nightmare in Riverclub
Johannesburg Water claims to have resolved the issue at Coleraine Drive, but residents say the problem persists, highlighting a troubling lack of follow-through. Despite multiple complaints, a water leak continues to plague Coleraine Drive in Riverclub, with Johannesburg Water’s responses leaving residents frustrated and puzzled.
A persistent water leak issue at Coleraine Drive in Riverclub has been ongoing for over six months, leaving residents and property owners frustrated as the problem remains unresolved despite multiple complaints filed with Johannesburg Water (JW).
Trevor Joffe, a property owner in Riverclub, said he reported the leak numerous times, but no action has been taken, leaving the water leak problem unaddressed.
Joffe provided three reference numbers related to his complaints.
Also read: Another unattended Joburg Water excavation
One of the references, 8006561303, was supposedly resolved in late November 2024. Another, 8006553900, mentioned a leaking meter, which was allegedly repaired in the same month. The third reference number, 8006519264, however, does not even exist in JW’s system.
Malibongwe Mgengwana, a resident at the property, confirmed that while workers did visit the site in August 2024 to address the leak, they never returned, and the problem has continued.
“The leaking water spread into the yard, making the parking space unusable and causing water to cover much of the yard, making it uncomfortable to walk around.”
Despite continued frustration, Joffe attempted to resolve the matter by visiting JW’s Kramerville office on January 17.
Also read: Sandton is Joburg Water’s busiest water system, but why?
He managed to get a new reference number, hoping it would lead to a resolution. However, he was once again sent a message claiming the issue had been fixed, even though the problem remains.
“I went there, they logged a new complaint. Then sent me a message a few days later that it was sorted. It has not been sorted; they have not come,” Joffe said.
In response to Joffe’s concerns, Nombuso Shabalala, the spokesperson for JW, initially stated that the status of the reported issues had been addressed.
According to Shabalala, reference 8006561303 was resolved in late November, and the leaking meter issue was also dealt with at that time.
However, when questioned again on January 23, Shabalala stated: “The depot confirmed that there was no leak at 121, however, there was a leak at 131, which the team excavated yesterday [January 22] and will be completing repairs on today. I will provide the updates by end of business.” No updates were sent by time of going to print.
This shift in focus raises questions about JW’s ability to properly diagnose and follow up on reported issues.
It also leaves residents like Joffe wondering if the utility is truly monitoring and resolving problems effectively.
As the water leak continues, Mgengwana and Joffe are left searching for answers, uncertain if the issue will ever be properly fixed.
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: JW confirms: Fixing Sandton leaks will take time
