Hospital Access Cleared and Sewer Projects Advance in JB Marks
- Karen Scheepers
- Jul 24
- 3 min read
Amid increasing infrastructure pressures, the JB Marks Municipality continues to prioritize critical service delivery operations across its jurisdiction. Today's update showcases efforts to secure hospital access routes, tackle stormwater blockages, and maintain momentum in sewer pipeline projects. Despite challenges like water system strain and material delays, technical teams remain actively deployed across key service areas.
🛣️ Road Repairs: Kruis Street Access Fully Restored
Municipal teams completed critical pothole patching at the Kruis Street hospital entrance, ensuring full emergency vehicle access on both road shoulders. The repair offers short-term traffic relief and hospital route stabilization as part of broader urban road rehabilitation plans.
🌀 Stormwater Drainage Crisis: Potchefstroom Hospital Affected
A major obstruction was uncovered near the Potchefstroom Hospital stormwater outlet, with large tree roots and trunk debris blocking underground drainage. The issue has escalated to an urgent intervention status, and specialized equipment is being sourced to complete the removal and restore flow before the next rainfall event.
🚜 Yellow Fleet Update: Ward 11 Sewer Project Makes Headway
Phase 2 of the Ward 11 sewer project reached a critical milestone today:
Excavation: 2.5m deep trench dug over a 250m stretch.
Base Layers: 150mm dam rocks and 100mm crusher sand prepared for drainage and bedding.
Pipe Installation: 250mm sewer pipes successfully positioned with excavator precision.
Next on 24 July: Pressure testing, backfilling with G5 material, and surface restoration are scheduled to proceed, weather permitting.
💧 Water Repairs: Multiple Urgencies Addressed
Water infrastructure teams successfully resolved several issues:
Extension 11: Leak at 18226 sealed.
Makham Street: Replaced stolen meter and rebuilt connection.
Mandela Street: A major pipe burst repaired, restoring steady pressure to affected households.
System-level maintenance included valve inspections and hydrant pressure assessments to prevent cascading failures.
🚽 Sewage Spillages: Localised Blockages Cleared
Three problem sites were cleared today:
Moloko Street (2248)
Muwe Street (6190)
Tsholofelo Street (8581)
Routine preventative maintenance also continues to limit further spillage events in nearby zones.
♻️ Waste Management: Service Delivery Holding Steady
The waste collection team maintained a 100% collection rate across residential, commercial, and hotspot zones.
However, illegal dumping remains a concern. A CBD site near Lewis Furniture has now been prioritized for targeted cleanup in upcoming cycles.
💧 Reservoir Status: Strong Levels in Most Systems, One Crisis Area
Old Works Reservoir (95.45%)
Stable for over a week; night pressure regulation continues.
Vyfhoek System (92.86%)
Slight drop noted; backup tanks still offline due to extended delays in the 315 pipeline project.
Ventersdorp Complex (75% – 64.29%)
Three-tier system showing signs of imbalance; leak inspections underway.
Ikageng System
West reservoir recovering well (86.36%), while the main reservoir (77.27%) holds steady.
Eesterandjies – Crisis Status
5ML Tank: Still empty on Day 9. Eight water tankers are deployed daily, prioritizing schools and clinics.
10ML Tank: Isolation continues as valve replacements await delivery (expected by 26 July).
🔧 Engineering Interventions Underway
Current focus areas include:
Vyfhoek: Urgent acceleration of delayed pipeline commissioning.
Eesterandjies: Airlifting valve components from Cape Town and exploring borehole activation for emergency relief.
System-Wide: Sensor upgrades in CBD zones and new industrial consumption audits.
📢 Public Notices
Ward 11: Trench safety barriers have been installed. Residents should avoid walking or driving near construction zones.
Stormwater Concern: Caution advised near Potchefstroom Hospital due to drainage obstructions and arborist activity.
📞 Report Issues:
Water/Sewage: 018 299 5111
Roads/Paving: 018 293 1111
Disaster Coordination: 018 299 5111
Efficient Execution Despite Strain
While certain long-term engineering delays continue to affect regions like Eesterandjies and Vyfhoek, the completion of hospital access routes and active sewer installations reflect a municipality striving for resilience. With consistent communication, emergency planning, and public safety advisories, JB Marks teams appear to be maintaining a visible operational presence under complex circumstances.
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