Scrap metal has become a lucrative business as Ward 126 councillor Mike Tonkin notices that Pressure Releasing Valve (PRV) covers are being stolen in his ward.
Tonkin explained that these PRVs’ basic function is to regulate the pressure of the water in the area and as they require big holes where they are placed, their covers tend to go missing.
He said, “The problem is now so bad that Johannesburg Water [started] welding these covers shut just to keep them from being stolen by the opportunistic criminals. This works to an extent but the covers are still disappearing at an alarming rate and it holds a danger for the public as these holes are extremely deep.”
He added that most of the PRVs are on dimly lit street corners and if a child was to fall into one of these holes he/she might be seriously injured.
Johannesburg Water (JW) who is responsible for these covers, mentioned that they are looking into the complaints about the PRV covers. JW shadow spokesperson Puleng Mopeli, who is standing in for Millicent Kabwe said, “We will send out a team to see how serious the issue is and revert to the councillor and the public with a solution.”
Details: Mike Tonkin 082 564 0160.
