The Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM) says it has repaired the water leak at 11 Harlem Street, Noordhoek, after delays caused by the nature of the repair and a shortage of heavy machinery.
According to the municipality, the leak was initially reported as a faulty water meter. However, when maintenance crews inspected the site on 14 July, they discovered the problem was on the main water pipeline.
“The repair required heavy machinery, which was not immediately available due to the high number of leaks experienced by the municipality. The machinery has since been secured, allowing the leak to be repaired,” the metro said.
The municipality said the repair was completed after the necessary equipment became available and urged residents with unresolved water leaks to contact the municipal call centre on 0800 111 300 or visit their nearest regional office to follow up on reported faults.
However, residents and members of the Noordhoek Community Association say the leak had been worsening for weeks despite repeated reports to the municipality.
PHOTO: Normarie u Plessis.
Resident Normarie du Plessis said she reported the water meter leak at 11 Harlem Street on 23 June, after several earlier reports by residents had gone unresolved.
PHOTO: Anthony Auld
Noordhoek Community Association founder Anthony Auld said the persistent water pooling at the corner of Harlem and Amsterdam streets due to the leak in 34 Warden has become a hazard for both motorists and pedestrians.
“The storm drain at the corner of Harlem and Amsterdam has been blocked for more than four years. We have reported it repeatedly, but we were told the municipality does not have the necessary resources and has lost the supplier that manufactured the required parts. As a result, whenever it rains or there is a water leak, the area becomes a disaster.”
PHOTO: Anthony Auld
Auld said the leak at 11 Harlem Street has been repaired several times, but the excavated area is often left open for months before its reported again to be closed.
“We also have many of the new blue water meters leaking, and whenever we report them, we are told they are out of stock. Some residents wait up to a year for their water meters to be replaced, while water continues to be wasted.”
He said water leaks across Mangaung often remain unattended for weeks, months and, in some cases, years before repairs are carried out.
“When repair teams finally arrive, they often don’t have the correct equipment or tools. That’s one of the main reasons the leaks keep recurring.”
Compiled by Sibongile Selomane
