Councillor clarifies confusion on Craigavon sewerage project

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14-07-2025
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Fourways Review
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Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe has come forward to clarify the status of the Craigavon rising main sewer project, a R48m overhaul to replace a corroded 2.2km sewerage line.

For months, residents of Craigavon have been gazing out at a seemingly abandoned construction site, wondering if the Craigavon rising main sewer project would ever get off the ground.

The area had become an eyesore, with many feeling frustrated and concerned about the project’s status. However, councillor Mark van der Merwe, Ward 115 representative, has stepped in to reassure the community that the project is indeed moving forward.

Van der Merwe provided much-needed clarity on the project’s scope, timeline, and expectations. He said the Craigavon rising main sewer project involves the installation of a 2.2km sewerage line, replacing the collapsed main sewerage line, which was temporarily repaired 18 months ago.

“That entire line has corroded and they are busy replacing it, which is a R48m replacement. It started on mid-January and will continue down Chang Road and Campbell Road, all the way down until mid-December.”

He confirmed that there is a tiny leak, which he reported. Johannesburg Water (JW) is aware of it, and they just need to replace the valve. “We need to understand that the financial cycle runs July till June. That’s the financial year. So, we have just finished the financial year, and the new budgets, which have been approved, come into effect now in July.

“My opinion, is that they’re waiting for the new budgets to be landed, so they can buy the new valve and replace it. That’s why it hasn’t been fixed yet, but JW is well aware.”

Van der Merwe understands why residents are getting concerned, especially with the massive excavations taking place in the area. “It’s a main sewerage line, which comes from Yerkes Gate Park in Johannesburg North, and comes up past Fourways, past the Douglasdale Police Station. It turns in behind the bus shopping center, comes up Poplar Road, and then goes down Chang Road, out to the Zunstraat pump station and then on to Diepsloot waste waterworks.

“Now, when they’re using these massive excavators, because these sewer lines are six to seven metres underground, sometimes there’s a cross pipe or something. About a month ago, they hit a cross pipe, but they fixed it within four hours, because that is what these guys do. They fix waterworks and everything like that.”

Van der Merwe said the team is currently not working, as they are on a two-week break.