Johannesburg Water is embarking on a prepaid meter data verification exercise in selected townships/suburbs across the City of Johannesburg. The data verification exercise will be conducted by the Johannesburg Water service provider African Meter Reading (AMR) who will visit each and every stand in areas with prepaid meters.

The verification is aimed at updating customer data and the collected data will be used only to update the vending system and SAP with the correct meter and customer information.

The aim of this project is to:

• Verify data to update system
• Update customer data
• Check meter number
• Check if meter is functional

This project is expected to start at the end of November and will be rolled out in phases in all the parts of Soweto,Lehae, Cosmo City and Riverside View with the inclusion of all households in Diepkloof.

In Braamfischer, Devland and Lehae the service provider will be verifying all the meters in these areas even those with conventional meters.

Customers are asked to note that African Meter Reading will not be enforcing any by-laws during the implementation of the data verification exercise for customers that have by-passed meters, vandalized meters or illegally connected their homes to the system. The Information gathered by AMR during the exercise will not be used to prosecute or penalise transgressors.

Residents are asked to note that personnel doing the verification tests will be easily identifiable with Johannesburg Water branded reflective vest, a cap and Identity card  which they will be required to wear at all times during working hours. The AMR office line 010 110 0598 can be used to verify the identity of the personnel who will be doing the verification.

Ends
For media inquiries:
Isaac Dhludhlu
Manager: Communications and Marketing
Tel: 011 688 1577
Email: Isaac.dhludhlu@jwater.co.za

14 October 2020
MEDIA STATEMENT

REMOVAL OF ILLEGAL WATER CONNECTIONS TO THE JW LENASIA WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Today, 14 October 2020, Johannesburg Water, SAPS, and JMPD embarked on a joint operation to cut off illegal water connections on the Lenasia water supply mainline, that has hampered the Entity’s ability to provide sustainable service to the community of Lenasia South.

The Lenasia water supply system comprises of a 700 mm diameter mainline connected to the Rand Water pipeline and feeds three reservoirs in Lenasia South, namely; Cosmos reservoir, Hospital Hill reservoir, and High Level reservoir. Lenasia Hospital Hill and Lenasia High Level reservoirs have water demand exceeding water supply mainly due to the illegal water connections by the informal settlement found in this area.

The illegal connections have compromised water supply in this area, and has resulted in the water supply been shut between 21:00 and 4:00 daily, in order to maintain sufficient reservoir capacity. Johannesburg Water is currently constructing a 15ML reservoir that will complement the supply to Lenasia High-Level Reservoir and ease the challenges created by illegal connections. The construction of this new reservoir will be completed during 2021.

The illegal connections cut-offs undertaken today, were performed at Waterworks Informal Settlement. The estimated population in this settlement is 3232 and the estimated consumption is 0.38 ML/Day. Water tankers have been provided to this settlement and are filled using water tankers daily on a continuous basis.

Johannesburg Water teams across the City are continuing with the maintenance of burst pipe repairs, leak repairs, active leak detection, and valve maintenance.  Community members are encouraged to report any leaks through formal platforms to minimise impact and improve turnaround times.

Ends

For media inquiries:
Isaac Dhludhlu
Manager: Communications and Marketing
Tel: 011 688 1577
Email: Isaac.dhludhlu@jwater.co.za