tame TIMES - WITH THE COMMUNITY
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Alberton residents concerned about ongoing water leak
04 June 2019, Week Volume 09, 23 May 23 2017, Week 21
Residents of Alberton have resorted to social media to inform the City of Ekurhuleni of a massive water leak on the corner of Jaqueline and Swartkoppies Road. Concerned residents are complaining that the water leak has been in the unmaintained condition for over 5 years. On Tuesday, 28 May a meeting was called between the City of Ekurhuleni’s Water and Sanitation department, Afriforum Alberton, the media and some community members regarding the issue. tame TIMES understands that it is a substantial leak that has been going on for a very long time and a huge amount of water is continually being lost. The Department, through Mr. Hendrik Groenewald, the chief engineer at the Department of Water and Sanitation in Ekurhuleni gave the attendees a detailed briefing of the scope of work involved in such an operation, as well as the challenges faced in the process. Mr Groenewald has also denied any reports indicating a shortage of spares as well as the reports of electric cables in the water, and has asked that the community please verify such claims before posting on social media in order to avoid
unnecessary panic, through the spread of untruths and unverified information. The department has given the assurance that the problem is being attended to and although it is difficult to furnish exact time tables, the community should see an improvement in the leak within approximately 4 weeks and a complete repair within the next 12 weeks. The aspect of safety has also been raised at the meeting in regards to the very deep holes as well as open valves in an unguarded and unsupervised area and the department has also given the community the assurance that they will look into that aspect as well. The Local Afriforum Branch as well as
the community members indicated their appreciation towards the department’s willingness to engage with them and although the meeting was to the point and sometimes robust, it is seen as very constructive and they believe the Department’s commitment to solving the problem to be genuine. tame TIMES will however monitor the progress and the process and should it be necessary engage with the department again. Mr. Groenewald has indicated the departments willingness to engage and to supply the community with relevant and up to date information should it be required.
Concerned residents are complaining that the water leak has been in the unmaintained condition for over 5 years.