Aging infrastructure and pipe bursts threaten Sandton reputation
Persistent water outages and aging pipes are disrupting Sandton’s growth, with residents and officials demanding urgent action to restore reliable services.
Johannesburg’s famed economic hub, Sandton, continues to grapple with severe water outages and infrastructure challenges that threaten its reputation and economic vitality.
Residents and business owners have expressed frustration over prolonged service disruptions, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions.
Sandton resident Sean Bradley, who works in the tourism industry, voiced his concerns. “The water issue has been ongoing for over a year. It’s impacting our economy, jobs, and the province’s image.
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“Pretoria Avenue has been a construction site for several years, with constant digging and poor repairs, and so the cycle continues. The hotels along this road are all impacted, and the impact this has on tourism is big.
“Gauteng is basically a pass-through to the Western Cape and Kruger. Consider the number of direct flights into Cape Town these days. Tourists are choosing other destinations because we can’t even guarantee basic services during major events.”
Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackelford said she’s been raising these issues since last year, emphasising that service delivery remains a top priority. “When big events, like the G20, come into Johannesburg, the city’s shortcomings in water, roads, power, and traffic management are glaring. Water outages, especially in areas fed by the Illovo reservoir, affect thousands of properties, including hotels, hospitals, and schools. It’s unacceptable for a city aiming to host international events.”
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The impact extends beyond inconvenience. Frequent pipe bursts and aging infrastructure have led to significant disruptions.
In her ward, Shackelford detailed recent incidents: nine pipe bursts in ten days near Bryanston Shopping Centre alone, and over twenty leaks in a month in other areas. She criticises the lack of meaningful projects to replace outdated piping, despite ongoing budget allocations.
Johannesburg Water (JW) spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala explained that the utility has an active pipe replacement programme designed to reduce non-revenue water, pipe bursts, and sewerage blockages citywide, including Sandton.
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“Our projects aim to improve the reliability and resilience of water systems, ensuring minimal disruptions.” The initiatives are part of broader water conservation and demand management strategies, however, residents and business owners remain skeptical.
Bradley emphasised the ripple effects of water outages, sewerage backups, traffic congestion, and business losses are ongoing issues. “When water stops, sewage overflows happen, and traffic grinds to a halt. It’s a vicious cycle that damages our economy and our city’s image.”
Shabalala said JW collaborates with other departments, like transport and sanitation, to address the broader impacts of outages. “We communicate regularly with related entities to manage service delivery and mitigate ripple effects.”
Regarding future plans, JW’s pipe replacement programme is expected to reduce water losses and improve system stability. The city’s focus remains on upgrading aging pipes, especially in high-demand areas like Sandton. “We are committed to providing a continuous and sustainable water supply through these ongoing projects,” Shabalala concluded.
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