16 May 2024
Media Release
Johannesburg Water’s new Brixton reservoir and tower and Crosby pump station construction project to boost water supply
Johannesburg Water hosted a media tour of the Entity’s construction of the new Brixton reservoir and tower and Crosby pump station project on Wednesday, 15 May 2024.
This was an opportunity to show the media the two new infrastructure projects which will boost water storage capacity for the Commando System (which comprises the Brixton, Crosby, and Hursthill complexes), as well as improve supply to the feeder zones.
The Commando System is always the hardest hit by water shortages because of the City of Johannesburg’s growing population, ageing infrastructure, and various other factors.
The project is part of Johannesburg Water’s ongoing efforts to ensure consistent and long-term water supply through the upgrading of existing infrastructure, and the provision of new water infrastructure for additional capacity to support higher density settlements.
The Commando System supplies water to parts of Region B (including Northcliff, Melville, Auckland Park, Bordeux and Bryanston extensions, and Region F (including Johannesburg CBD, City Deep, Robertsham, Linmeyer, Forsdburg, Kibler Park, Mulbarton, and the universities of Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand).
• Full list of Region B suburbs.
• Full list of Region F suburbs.
Brixton reservoir and tower and planned Crosby bulk infrastructure project
One of the focus areas in 2023/24 includes the Perth Empire water upgrades which focus on upgrades within the Brixton/Hursthill water supply zone, including the construction of a new Crosby pump station, which will begin later this year. Meanwhile, construction of the new 26 megalitre (Ml) Brixton reservoir and the new 2.2Ml Brixton tower began in July 2023.
The existing infrastructure was constructed in 1917 and has exceeded its useful lifespan. Due to the planned densification resulting from the growing student commune population, the Brixton/Hursthill area is experiencing water shortages. These are affecting critical institutions like the Helen Joseph and Rahima Moosa hospitals and thus additional water capacity is required.
The supply system will be efficient upon completion of the multi-year programme which necessitates:
• Construction of the new 26 Ml Brixton reservoir, 2.2Ml tower and a pump station able to deliver at least 400 litres per second (l/s) at 35m head.
• The new pumpstation located at the Crosby Reservoir complex, will deliver at least 200l/s to improve supply to the existing Hursthill 1 and 2 reservoirs.
• Construction of a new 600mm diameter rising mains from the Crosby reservoir to the Hursthill.
• Overhaul of the Crosby Pump station.
• Construction of 3300m,1000mm diameter steel of pipeline from Rand Water connection to the Crosby reservoir.
Ends
Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.