Rand Water project in Glenvista under the spotlight

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21-05-2025
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The Citizen Online
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Rand Water has delayed the project long enough, and the development should progress.

A joint water development project by Rand Water (RW) and Joburg Water (JW) on Camstra and Donnington roads in Glenvista, Johannesburg South, was aimed at developing the area’s water supply system. However, it has been an on-and-off project for the last five years.

The water pipeline was meant to improve the water distribution network in Joburg South.

The project began as a development for water pipelines and a pumping station that was supposed to give the south a new, fully equipped water distribution station.

It is a collaborative effort between JW and RW, as these entities have access to different resources and functions as water distribution entities.

Joburg Water’s core purpose is to provide water and sanitation services, while Rand Water functions to purify water and supply it in bulk.

The project was put on hold several times from 2019 to 2025. The reasons for the delays have varied.

The first reason was that RW did not complete their part of the construction, which would have been to actually set up the water distribution system by joining the pipeline and connecting a supply monitoring system. However, five years later, RW still has not completed this task.

The site of the development has caused many issues in the time it has been left unvisited. The equipment that was left to stand has caused people to strip construction vehicles to steal the parts, as well as vagrants living in the abandoned pipes. This has caused crime, with reports stating that those living on the site try to rob passers-by.

The areas of the road that were closed off have remained that way, causing traffic and damage to the road, leaving residents disgruntled and frustrated.

Ward 23 Councillor Tyrell Meyers has worked on getting this project done since 2021.

“The construction company hired by RW to complete the building aspects of the project left it abandoned; JW did their part at the start of the project by supplying the pipelines and other necessary equipment, but the bulk of the development was left up to RW as they deal with the water distribution network. I constantly contact them to restore the development and continue work. This water system is desperately needed in the south and will help with the water issues that the area is experiencing,” said Clr Meyers.

Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo spoke to the Comaro Chronicle about the project situation.

“This project that began in 2020 has had many issues. The first issue was with the contractors that we hired who were not equipped for the project and were eventually removed. The second issue was with the actual water supply control system, which will still have to be procured and cost a large amount. As the development is still active, progress is being made on connecting the pipeline while the system is still being procured. At this time, I can not give a time frame, but updates will be provided,” said Maroo.