Laying of new water pipes in Clubview, Hennops almost complete

The 10-year project to replace 20 793m of old water pipes in Clubview and Hennopspark will soon come to an end.

The fourth phase of the project is expected to be completed by November 16 this year.

According to Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo this type of area-wide upgrade will be phased out.

Instead, the city will replace critical worn-out water network pipelines for a single pipe per region.

Mashigo said the city had three main reasons for embarking on the project.

“Both Clubview and Hennopspark are located in a sinkhole prone area. Therefore the risk for sinkholes to develop needs to be reduced by preventing or reducing water pipe leaks and bursts through the replacement of worn-out water network pipelines that reached the end of their lifespan.”

He said that the aim was also to reduce water loss and maintenance costs as the old pipelines were becoming prone to bursts and leaks.

Various pipe materials have been used over time as available technology and costs alter what choices are made.

From 1870-1930, cast iron pipes were used, replaced by cement-lined cast iron from 1930-70.

Asbestos cement (fibre cement) such as those in Clubview and Hennopspark was used from 1950-70, with ductile iron pipes from 1960.

From the 1970s, the PVC pipes we now see have been used.

“Asbestos cement (AC) pipes make up 22% of the city’s total pipe network,” Mashigo told Rekord.

“The AC pipes are between 53 and 73 years old. However, there are also UPVC pipes between 29 to 38 years old that are included in the current scope of work to be replaced during Phase 4A.”

Phase 4 of the Clubview project began in January this year, following some setbacks from the original starting date of October 2022.

Since January 2013, almost 21km of old asbestos cement pipes have been replaced with UPVC pipes at an estimated cost of R70- million.

Mashigo said that the project began in 2013 with Clubview Phase 1, which sought to replace 4 077m of worn-out water network pipes at a cost of R4.95-million.

In June 2015, Clubview Phase 2 began, replacing 1264m of pipes at R2.67-million.

Hennopspark Phase 1 followed in February 2017, and was completed on August 12, 2017; 1 800m of worn-out pipes were replaced at a cost of R8.40-million.

The work on Clubview Phase 3 and Hennopspark Phase 2 commenced on January 23, 2019 and was completed on June 30, 2020; 6 630m of worn-out water network pipes were replaced at a cost of R17.46-million.

NOTICE: Multi-million rand Centurion water supply pipe replacement begins

The most recent phase 4 in Clubview officially began on January 12, replacing 7 022m of pipeline at an estimated cost of R36.36-million.

While the work needs to be completed by November 16, Mashigo said that there would be a period following the completion to address snags.

“The replacement of worn-out water network pipelines is an ongoing programme, city-wide,” said Mashigo.

“However, the replacement of networks in an entire zone or in phases is in the process of being phased out to be replaced by the replacement of critical worn-out water network pipelines with single pipe replacement per region.”

In other words, pipes will be prioritised per region and replaced based on the budget at the time.

“This is an attempt to have the best impact on reducing water loss with the available budget per financial year,” Mashigo concluded.

ALSO READ: Pothole claims are mounting in South Africa

Do you have more information about the story?

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

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

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram