Letter to the Editor: Burst water pipes a recurring problem

Patrick Tyson, Voëlklip

Burst water mains in the Voëlklip area are a long-standing problem. Recently the problem has escalated and has become a frequent occurrence. We have recently had three in quick succession.

The latest incident happened at night when one erupted in front of our house. It took a long time for a reaction to turn off the water, by which time our garden was flooded.

The strong flowing stream narrowly avoided the house. Expensive paving was torn up, leaving a ploughed area.

Quite apart from the ongoing inconvenience, expensive water filters are damaged when the muddy water is restored. This sometimes requires a plumber to clear the system. The pipe system in our area is quite obviously way beyond its use by date.

My question is: when will the pipes be replaced or are we expected to go on living like this?