The City says they are following the necessary safety measures while replacing the ageing water pipes in Hout Bay.
Last week, Sentinel reported that the second phase of a R7 million project to replace 3.3km of water pipes in Hout Bay was well under way (“City replacing ageing water pipes”, Sentinel, March 22).
Previously, Hout Bay community activist Roscoe Jacobs said the area’s ageing water infrastructure needed to be replaced to prevent further problems.
“Water is currently restored, but this can be interrupted again due to the ageing water infrastructure. I am concerned about the safety of these aged pipes and whether they are asbestos pipes.”
Sentinel followed up with the City to confirm what the material the ageing pipes were made from, to which mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien said: “The old pipes, which are over 40 years old and are in the process of being cracked and replaced, are asbestos fibre cement.”
Dr Badroodien assures that the ageing pipes are being replaced in a safe manner.
“This pipe replacement method ensures that the asbestos cement pipe remains underground as it is cracked to pull the new plastic pipe through. A small fraction of the total pipeline is stored and removed offsite, according to due processes,” he said.
For more information email the City at media@capetown.gov.za.
