by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Oct 29, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
29 October 2026 – 15:20
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water implements urgent interventions to stabilise severely constrained systems
Johannesburg Water’s water supply systems are severely constrained, with high demand and excessive draw-off limiting the recovery of reservoirs and towers. This is resulting in low water pressure, intermittent supply and prolonged outages in various areas. Johannesburg Water acknowledges the frustration experienced by affected residents. Technical teams are actively reconfiguring the network and implementing targeted throttling to balance available supply, support reservoir recovery and stabilise distribution across affected systems. These interventions involve adjusting water flows and pressures to manage available storage and improve supply to struggling parts of the network. Customers may experience reduced pressure or temporary supply interruptions while these measures are underway. Recovery will vary between systems and will depend on sustained inflows and reduced demand.
Impacted systems
Systems experiencing constraints or requiring active management include:
Commando: Crosby, Brixton and Hursthill supply areas.
Central: Parktown, Berea, Yeoville, Randjieslaagte, Linksfield and Alexander Park systems.
Sandton: Bryanston, Illovo and Morningside.
Midrand: Grand Central, President Park and Erand systems.
Randburg–Roodepoort: Honeydew, Cosmo City and Waterval Tower.
Soweto and southern areas: Power Park, Chiawelo, Meadowlands, Zondi, Crown Gardens and Eagles Nest.
Deep South: Lawley, Ennerdale, Lenasia and Orange Farm systems.
The extent of interruptions varies across these supply areas, with higher-lying areas particularly impacted when reservoir and tower levels decline.
Strengthening water use restrictions To strengthen existing demand management measures, Johannesburg Water has proposed more stringent Level 1 water use restrictions, targeting a reduction of approximately 15% in current demand. The proposed measures include:
No irrigation between 06:00 am and 18:00 pm
Compulsory spray nozzles for hosepipes
No hosing down of hard surfaces
No dampening of building sand
Additional restrictions proposed.
All City of Johannesburg properties and its entities to stop the irrigation of parks,
public spaces, and gardens.
The City of Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) and its contractors to stop using
potable water for road construction purposes and instead utilise treated effluent from
any of the six Wastewater Treatment Works.
Johannesburg Water and its contractors to stop using potable water for jetting
activities and instead utilise treated effluent from any of the six (6) the Wastewater
Treatment Works.
The proposal also provides for targeted reductions in water supplied to identified high consumption areas where other restrictions do not sufficiently reduce demand. These measures will be supported by safeguards to protect access to basic water supply and provide alternative supply to affected essential services. Should demand continue to increase following implementation, Johannesburg Water will consider Level 2 water use restrictions.
Any further restrictions will be communicated through official channels before implementation. Alongside these measures, Johannesburg Water continues to undertake leak detection, burst pipe repairs, pressure management and infrastructure rehabilitation to reduce water losses and improve system performance. Johannesburg Water urges residents and businesses to reduce water consumption and avoid non-essential water use to support system recovery. The Entity will continue to provide updates on interventions, restoration progress and alternative water supply arrangements.”
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Oct 27, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
27 October – 11:20
Customer Notice
Beware of fake messages about water contamination and water quality in Johannesburg
Johannesburg Water is aware of messages claiming that all water supplied across Johannesburg is contaminated and unsafe to drink. These messages are fake and do not come from Johannesburg Water.
There is no confirmed water contamination incident affecting the whole city. Please do not share these fake messages, as they cause unnecessary worry and confusion.
Water quality concerns reported in a particular area should not be interpreted as affecting the entire city. Any precautionary water quality advisory issued by Johannesburg Water applies to the specific areas identified in that notice. Customers in those areas should continue following the guidance provided until the advisory is officially lifted.
Customers are encouraged to verify messages through Johannesburg Water’s official communication channels before forwarding them. Sharing unverified information may cause unnecessary concern and confusion.
If your water has an unusual colour or smell, or you have other water quality concerns, please report this so our team can investigate and collect samples where needed. These samples will be tested through an accredited laboratory process and standard at JW’s Cydna Laboratory. JW investigates quality concerns through its own strict standard operating procedures as and when applicable supported by a multi-faceted team who work together in responding to any contamination query.
Customers are encouraged to report concerns through the Johannesburg Water’s Contact Centre on 010 061 4470 or send a private message on its official social media platforms, providing their contamination messages with their full address, name and surname, and contact number.
Johannesburg Water remains committed to providing safe drinking water and responding to water quality concerns maintaining is compliance to SANS 241 and the Blue Drop standards.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Oct 21, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
21 October – 11:45
Media Release
Johannesburg Water is experiencing significant strain on its water supply systems due to high consumption. This increased demand is placing pressure on the bulk water supply system and affecting the ability of reservoirs and towers to maintain sufficient storage.
Over the past few weeks as temperatures soared, the City of Johannesburg has continued to experience week-on-week high water consumption. Residents and businesses are urgently requested to reduce consumption, avoid using drinking water for non-essential activities and comply with the Level 1 water restrictions currently in effect.
These include:
• No watering of gardens between 06:00 and 18:00.
• No filling of swimming pools between 06:00 and 18:00.
• Washing cars with a bucket instead of a hose pipe.
• No washing of paved areas and driveways using hosepipes.
To prevent further strain and reduce the risk of a system collapse and prolonged supply interruptions, Johannesburg Water will implement water conservation and water demand management interventions. These will include targeted water supply restrictions in areas with high water losses, excessive wastage and low payment levels. The City of Johannesburg will also intensify by-law enforcement in areas with illegal water connections to curb unauthorised consumption, reduce losses and protect water infrastructure.
These interventions aim to stabilise the system, support reservoir recovery and preserve water for essential needs. Johannesburg Water will convene a meeting with ward councillors today, to discuss the applicable restrictions and implementation arrangements. Residents in affected areas will be informed in coordination with their ward councillors and through Johannesburg Water’s social media platforms.
Water security is a shared responsibility. While Johannesburg Water works to improve the performance and resilience of the system, management of physical losses on the municipal infrastructure, residents can support these efforts by using water responsibly and complying with the restrictions, reporting illegal use of water and reporting of leaks and bursts on the various platforms available.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Sep 15, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
15 September 2026 – 14:30
Customer Notice
Level 1 water restrictions are here, let’s make every drop count
As temperatures rise, so does water demand. That’s why the City of Johannesburg has
implemented Level 1 water restrictions from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027 to help
keep water supply systems stable during the hotter months.
Level 1 water restrictions are implemented annually to manage increased water
consumption brought on by rising temperatures.
But here’s the good news: we can all play a part. Johannesburg Water is calling on
customers, communities and workplaces – yes, even us at Johannesburg Water! – to join
the water-saving team. Every drop saved today helps protect this precious resource for
tomorrow and reduces the risk of a future water crisis.
Why does hot weather matter?
When temperatures climb, we tend to use more water – for gardens, showers, swimming
pools, washing cars and more. This increased demand has a ripple effect on Johannesburg
Water’s reservoirs and towers, which can deplete available water supplies much faster.
So, the challenge is simple: use only what you need! Under Level 1 water restrictions:
Watering of gardens and filling of swimming pools is prohibited between 06:00 and
18:00 from 1 September to 31 March.
Washing paved areas and driveways with hosepipes is not permitted.
Become a water-saving champion
Small changes can make a big difference. Try these simple habits at home and at work:
Turn off the tap – a running tap can waste up to 6 litres of water every minute.
Keep showers short and opt for shallow baths.
Use a glass of water to rinse when brushing your teeth and turn off the tap while
washing your face or soaping your hands instead of leaving the tap running.
Wash your car on the grass using grey water. You’ll clean your car while watering your
lawn at the same time.
Reuse grey water where appropriate to water your garden or pot plants.
Fix those leaks – a leaking tap, toilet or pipe can waste significant amounts of water
over time.
What water-saving habit will you adopt today?
Whether it’s a shorter shower, fixing a leaking tap or reusing water around the house – every
little action adds up. Let’s work together to keep Johannesburg’s water systems resilient,
protect our precious water resources and ensure there is water for generations to come.
What Johannesburg Water is doing
Johannesburg Water is also playing its part by monitoring reservoir and tower levels,
repairing leaks and burst pipes, managing water pressure, and implementing water-demand
management initiatives across the city. The Entity continues to maintain and strengthen
infrastructure, address illegal connections, and improve its response to reported water
losses.
Water security is a shared responsibility. While Johannesburg Water works to improve the
performance and resilience of the system, customers can support these efforts by using
water responsibly and complying with the restrictions.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Sep 4, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
4 September 2026
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water clarifies facts regarding the Waterworks Underground Water Augmentation Pilot Project
Johannesburg Water notes with concern the public statements regarding the groundwater project at the Waterworks community in Region G. These statements intentionally omit facts about the project’s scope, status and regulatory requirements.
Waterworks is but one of nine locations included in Johannesburg Water, Wits Enterprises, and Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) larger Underground Water Augmentation Pilot Project. A total of 39 production and monitoring boreholes have already been drilled across the nine locations. The project is currently in the final phase of the Water Use License application process with DWS. The full scope of the project is intended to supplement water supply in areas affected by the increasing demand and illegal connections to bulk infrastructure across the city.
Johannesburg Water wishes to clarify that the Waterworks project has not been abandoned, nor has it been stopped because the City of Johannesburg ran out of funds. As the Waterworks area has wetland characteristics, DWS requested a comprehensive wetland assessment report before considering the application. The Entity is legally required to complete this process before the boreholes can be equipped, commissioned and used to supply water.
The approximately R37 million referred to publicly is not the cost of standpipes for one borehole at Waterworks. It relates to planned water-distribution infrastructure across all nine project locations. Comparing this amount with the cost of an independently installed system at a single site is therefore misleading.
Johannesburg Water is deeply concerned that unauthorised parties entered an active municipal project site and interfered with a borehole without the approval and or consultation with the Entity or the City and outside prescribed DWS processes.
Any unauthorised person or organisation that operates, connects to, alters or otherwise interferes with Johannesburg Water infrastructure acts unlawfully. Section 20 of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality Water Services By-laws, 2023 prohibits any person from operating, maintaining, connecting to or interfering with any part of the municipal water-supply system without the City’s prior written authorisation. Section 22 prohibits unauthorised entry onto municipal water-services works.
Accordingly, the completion or commissioning of the Waterworks borehole by an organisation not appointed or authorised by Johannesburg Water may therefore contravene the By-laws, and may expose those responsible to enforcement action, criminal prosecution, and liability for the costs of assessing, securing, and repairing any affected infrastructure. Any supply of borehole water for domestic use must also comply with the prescribed municipal approvals, applicable water-use authorisations, and drinking-water quality requirements. Private intervention cannot lawfully bypass these safeguards.
Johannesburg Water has a legal responsibility to protect municipal infrastructure and ensure that water supplied to residents meets the applicable water-quality, environmental and safety requirements. Claims that the water is safe to drink must be supported by appropriate testing through accredited processes and ongoing monitoring.
Johannesburg Water is assessing the affected infrastructure and will engage DWS and the relevant authorities on the appropriate action.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Jul 23, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
23 July 2026
Media Release
Johannesburg Water accelerates smart technology rollout to reduce water losses
As part of its commitment to improving water security and enhancing operational efficiency, Johannesburg Water is leveraging smart technology and innovative infrastructure to build a more resilient and sustainable water supply network.
These smart pressure controllers form part of the Entity’s Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Programmer, which comprises a range of strategies that aim to reduce water losses and overall non-revenue water, ensuring a continuous and sustainable water supply and reducing demand on Johannesburg’s water supply network
Johannesburg Water has initiated a project to retrofit Smart Hydraulic Flow controls on the outlets of 28 high-consumption reservoirs and towers. These will automatically throttle reservoir outlets in order to reduce minimum night flow losses and build reservoir capacity overnight. In addition to this, Smart Pressure controllers are being installed to high-consumption Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV) zones within the network.
Senior Manager for Water Demand Management and Technical Metering, Logan Munsamy said: “Smart controllers will help manage pressure more effectively, reducing the incidence of bursts and leaks. Together, these interventions aim to lower high system pressure, ultimately decreasing minimum night flow losses.”
In the 2023/24 Financial Year, 15 smart pressure controllers were commissioned, with a further 13 units installed as of April 2025 bringing the total to 53 units. The Entity has procured an additional 306 smart controllers which are currently being installed. This project will be finalised at the end of September 2026”
“Further to this, we have already installed 225 noise loggers with an additional 125 noise loggers planned to be installed by October 2026. These smart automated leak detection sensors are installed on critical pipelines and they detect underground leaks. Maintenance teams can thereafter be deployed to perform related repairs,” Munsamy added.
All of these initiatives aim to reduce non-revenue water and physical losses due to high pressures and ageing infrastructure.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
