Dangerous to life and property

Encroachment is one of the biggest threats to Rand Water’s sustainability, as it endangers pipelines that deliver water to municipalities, mines and industries.

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What is Encroachment?

Encroachment is defined as the trespassing, violating of rights and building on top of the pipelines or a servitude, such as illegal erection of physical object or structure which intrudes on Rand Water Servitudes, i.e. residential houses, business premises, underground fibre or overhead electric cable networks, and unauthorised community activities on Rand Water’s Servitudes.

While Rand Water’s legal right to its servitude prohibits others land users from encroaching on Rand Water’s servitudes, Encroachment remains Rand Water’s second highest risk to the sustainability of the organization due to continuous illegal use of land where Rand Water strategic assets such as pipelines, chambers, and meters are located. These are distribution pipelines that transport potable water quality to Rand Water Customers (Municipalities, Mines, and other Industries).

What are the forms of Encroachment?

In recent years most notably, but not exclusively, formal and informal settlement communities have continued to encroach Rand Water’s servitudes, by building residential houses, illegal water connections and dumping as well as conducting businesses on top or next to the Rand Water pipeline parameters.

What factors are resulting in Encroachment?

Rapid urbanisation rate and subsequent influx of people into the economic heartland of Gauteng, has resulted in a dramatic backlog of formal housing and available land to develop for this purpose. However, encroachment is also a challenge in formal settlements, some of Rand Water’s pipelines are highly affected by encroachments especially by formal residential houses and businesses. On regular bases, Rand Water is not consulted during re-urbanisation and contraction activities where Rand Water servitudes are to be affected

How do communities Identify Rand Water Pipelines installed underneath?

The Rand Water “white and blue beacons” are installed all over Gauteng, Mpumalanga; North West and Free State Provinces where its pipelines can be located. These beacons serve as a warning to the public of the danger that exists below the ground.

What are the challenges that exists when the public erect structures and businesses on Rand Water servitudes

• It will obscure Rand Water to conduct periodic and planned maintenance
• It will be challenging on the design of infrastructure augmentation and flexibility projects to meet future water requirements by its customers.
• Unsustainable and reliable water services to Customers.

What are dangers to the Public if you build a structure on top and near the Rand Water Servitudes

The following shall happen!

1. Burst Pipeline can cause damage to Properties
2. Burst Pipeline can cause fatalities meaning “People can Die”
3. People might be inconvenienced and stay days without water.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THERE’S A BURST PIPE undergoing underground

Rand Water will continue and inform the public the dangers and risks of erecting structures on top or near Rand Water servitudes.

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Encroachment is one of the biggest threats to Rand Water’s sustainability, as it endangers pipelines that deliver water to municipalities, mines and industries.

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