Eyesore pipes cause frustration for residents
SANDTON – Sandton residents are up in arms over unsightly water pipes.
A Strathhaven resident is unimpressed with the appearance of the water pipes outside various complexes and a hotel in Sandton.
The resident, who has chosen to remain anonymous given the nature of his complaint, spoke to a Sandton Chronicle journalist on behalf of several other Sandton residents.
He said, “The water department, without consultation, put up these horrific water pipes at the entrance [driveway] of a lovely complex [Ipanema] on Daisy Street, Sandown between Grayston Drive and Linden Road. Some residents thought they were sewerage pipes and I walked past to see the pipes. They are shocking.”
He explained that the water department was called to the site and assured residents that they would rectify the problem. “In fact, [the inspector] too said it was really ugly and an eyesore. However, to the residents’ shock and dismay, the pipes are now not going to be moved.”
A Sandton resident, who works at a Sandton-based hotel said, “Now there are large pipes right outside the window of my reception and I have to keep my… curtains [closed] as it so unsightly. I am also shocked at what’s going on when it comes to the piping.”
The anonymous Strathhaven resident further said, “I’ve walked the entire road and spoken to every single body corporate member and not a single person was consulted [with regards to the installation of the pipes]. Some are at the entrance of beautiful complexes and it looks shocking. We are not rural communities [and] are the highest tax paying bracket in the country and deserve better treatment.”
In response to the above-mentioned comments and after seeing the images, Johannesburg Water spokesperson, Eleanor Mavimbela said, “This looks like an above ground water meter connection and it is usually placed where the old underground meter was.
“If that is where the old underground meter was, then it is installed correctly. We are sending an inspector to investigate whether it is in the correct place.”
In response to Johannesburg Water’s comment, the Strathaven resident said, “Granted, they do put the above ground water meters where the below ground water meters used to be, but in certain circumstances, this results in unsightly water meters in the wrong position.
“This gross display of pipes are known to many and could even [be seen as] sewerage pipes. I think the water department could have shown a little more effort in taking a bit more care.”
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