recurring water leak on Jan Smuts Avenue is set for a different approach: Johannesburg Water plans to install heavy-duty steel covers to protect the site's infrastructure.

Randburg Sun reports that contractors left the road surface unfinished after repairing a pipe in the middle of the road. Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala told the newspaper that the utility had investigated why the problem kept returning.

What is planned

The covers are intended to protect the infrastructure from further interference. Shabalala attributed the repeated damage to vandalism by nearby taxi washers.

The newspaper approached the Randburg Taxi Rank for a response, but it was still outstanding when the report was published.

The depot was awaiting quotations for the repair and road reinstatement work. The depot must review and approve them before work proceeds, and it provided no completion date. Johannesburg Water said it would continue temporary repairs when faults were reported.

Reporting a leak or unfinished repair

Report water-related faults to Johannesburg Water at fault@jwater.co.za.

When reporting a problem, include:

• The location: a street number, nearest intersection or clear landmark.
• What you can see: A short description of the fault, flowing water, a damaged cover or an unfinished road surface.
• Previous details: an earlier reference number if the fault has returned.
• Any previous reference number: Keep your reference number for follow-ups.
• A photograph, if safe: take it without entering traffic or approaching an excavation.

For unfinished roadwork following a water repair, explain that the pipe has been repaired but the road surface still needs attention.

• View Johannesburg Water’s official reporting contacts

The Bottom Line

For people using this stretch of Jan Smuts Avenue, the job will be complete when the infrastructure is protected and the road surface restored. The proposed covers are the next step, but the timing is still to be confirmed.