Tshwane blames asbestos pipes for water leaks as northern residents leave in frustration

Residents of Theresa Park, north of Pretoria, are expressing growing frustration over persistent water leaks blamed on aging asbestos pipes.

Despite Tshwane Metro's efforts, many residents feel the response to the water leaks has not been adequate.

Residents have raised concerns about the maintenance of infrastructure in their communities, resulting in unreliable water supplies.

Metro spokeswoman Lindela Mashigo said the water distribution network in Theresapark consists primarily of aging asbestos pipes.

Mashigo said these pipes are particularly vulnerable to bursting during extreme temperature fluctuations due to their rigid nature.

This has led to frequent leaks and prompted many residents to report them as soon as they occur.

While repairs are made on a case-by-case basis, the ongoing nature of these leaks leaves some residents feeling overwhelmed and underserved.

“Currently, the metro is tasked with responding to reported water leaks as they occur.

“Residents can report issues via a dedicated hotline on 012 358 9999 or by emailing [email protected].”

However, many have pointed out that the subway's response time norms of 48 hours may be too long, particularly due to frequent disruptions.

The metro has said water tankers will be provided if disruptions last longer than 24 hours.

“Fortunately, such long outages are rare as most repairs are usually completed within eight hours.”

Zinhle Maponya said relying on temporary water supplies was not an ideal solution for residents who were already struggling with the inconvenience of frequent leaks.

Mashigo said the information would be shared primarily through the local council and various reporting platforms.

“We have a dedicated department that focuses on a pipe replacement program.

“This initiative aims to replace old and dilapidated pipes to reduce the frequency of breakage,” Mashigo said.

While these long-term plans are promising, residents are eager to see more immediate action taken to address the current leaks.

Mashigo said residents could engage in discussions on improving infrastructure through the Integrated Development Plan process.

Residents are demanding more proactive measures from the metro and hope that through continued dialogue and engagement, lasting solutions can be found to improve their water infrastructure and overall quality of life.

Do you have any further information about the story?

Please send us an email to [email protected] or Call us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking news and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Record East

Further news and interesting articles can be found at Rekord Facebookkeep following us Twitter or Instagram