A burst water pipe on Sussex lane in Liverpool, Lenasia South, has left water flowing near residents’ homes, with concerns growing over the damage and safety risks caused by the ongoing leak. A resident reported the burst to Johannesburg Water on Tuesday, 22 September, after noticing water escaping from the damaged pipe near his residence and spreading across the surrounding area.
According to the resident, Johannesburg Water was contacted and indicated that the matter would be attended to. However, as of Friday, 25 September, the burst pipe has reportedly still not been repaired and water continues to flow. The ongoing leak has also affected the area around residents’ properties, with a hole forming near the front gate of one residence. One resident told Globe Post that the situation has already created a safety concern after a vehicle became stuck when one of its wheels went into the hole. Residents had to assist in pushing the vehicle out. The incident has raised concerns about the potential danger posed to motorists, pedestrians and residents, particularly if the affected area continues to deteriorate.
A Johannesburg Water employee was seen at the location waiting to carry out work on the pavement. However, speaking to Globe Post, the worker explained that he had not been assigned to repair the burst pipe and was only responsible for the pavement, according to the employee, there was nothing he could do at the moment about the ongoing water flow until the damaged pipe itself was repaired. The empolyee had also visited the area on Heritage Day to check whether the situation had been resolved. However, the pipe was still reportedly leaking. He returned again on Friday to check for any changes, but the situation remained unchanged. He subsequently left, noting that he would only be able to return to complete the pavement work once the pipe had been repaired.
The latest incident is not the first time Globe Post has reported on ongoing problems involving the Liverpool pipeline. During a previous visit to the area, a foreman reportedly indicated that work on the pipeline would be completed by 10 September. That deadline has since passed, while residents continue to experience problems associated with the damaged infrastructure. The latest burst has therefore renewed concerns about the condition of the pipeline and the length of time being taken to address the problem. For residents living close to the affected section, the continued flow of water is more than an inconvenience. The expanding hole and wet conditions are creating potential risks for vehicles and pedestrians, while continued water loss also raises concerns about the impact of an unresolved leak.
Globe Post contacted the City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Water for comment regarding the burst pipe, the reported repair deadline and when residents can expect the matter to be resolved. No response had been received at the time of publication. Globe Post will continue to follow up with Johannesburg Water and provide updates as more information becomes available.
This is a developing story.
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