Some residents of Sharonlea, in Johannesburg, have expressed relief at the news of a completed water replacement project, on Monday.
This follows reports of regular shortages, slow repairs of burst pipes, which have led to days without water.
The project is part of Johannesburg Water’s pipe replacement programme, to renew about 2,312km of water pipeline, at a cost of R1.13 billion.
It also includes the replacement of ageing asbestos cement water pipes, enhancing the reliability and safety of the suburb’s water infrastructure.
Trevor Mbonani, Capex Project Manager at Joburg Water, said the programme is also designed to ensure a continued reduction of non-revenue water (NRW), pipe bursts and sewer blockages throughout the City of Johannesburg (CoJ).
“The project in Sharonlea began in October 2024 and was completed in August 2025. The aged asbestos cement water pipes, which are rigid and therefore susceptible to bursts, were replaced with uPVC Class 16 high impact pipes, which are more durable. The total length of pipe replaced is 1220m” said Mbonambi.