Johannesburg is grappling with a severe water crisis exacerbated by illegal connections in informal settlements. Johannesburg Water has announced plans to cut water supply in areas with prevalent illicit connections to address these losses.
“While the entity will ensure that water supply is not interrupted and that water tankers are deployed and refilled regularly, residents in informal settlements are urged to take care of water tanks to help maintain basic services for the community,” said spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala.
“If there are no water tankers in various areas in informal settlements, residents are encouraged to report the matter to the award counsellor or the nearest Johannesburg Water depot.”
Infrastructure upgrades underway to address water supply woes
Furthermore, Johannesburg Water is undertaking various projects to address the city’s water woes reported the EWN. Among these is the construction of a new reservoir and tower in Birkston, scheduled for completion in April 2025. The facility will bolster supply to the Commando system, which services Birkston, Hursthill, and Crosby.
Additionally, the utility is repairing 42 reservoirs, with 22 prioritised for urgent consultant reviews. “The procurement of a panel of contractors is in progress, with repairs expected to begin in February,” Shabalala confirmed.
Day-to-day maintenance continues, both planned and unplanned, as part of Johannesburg Water’s ongoing effort to enhance its infrastructure.
Financial challenges and strategic partnerships
Johannesburg Water’s financial struggles, including a R20 billion debt, have hampered its ability to maintain and upgrade infrastructure. The utility is exploring private partnerships to secure funding and expertise to reduce water wastage and improve service delivery.
“National Treasury and the Department of Water and Sanitation have pledged support to Johannesburg Water’s initiatives,” Shabalala said.
A multi-stakeholder platform has been established to collaborate on improving access to safe water across the municipality.
Additionally, the entity remains hopeful that additional funding and a comprehensive turnaround strategy will enable it to tackle the crisis effectively.
Do you support Johannesburg Water’s decision to disconnect illegal connections in informal settlements, or do you believe alternative solutions should be explored?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
