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.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Jul 6, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
06 July 2026
Customer Notice
REMINDER: Rand Water to conduct second and last phase of planned maintenance. Phase Two: 17 July 2026 (07:00 – 19:00)
Residents are reminded that bulk water supplier, Rand Water, will undertake the second and final phase of its planned maintenance on 17 July 2026, from 07:00 to 19:00, for a period of 12 hours. The first phase of the planned maintenance was successfully completed between 29 May and 2 June 2026.
The impact of the maintenance will vary depending on the system.
Some areas will be affected by low water pressure to no water for the duration of the maintenance.
Johannesburg Water will keep residents informed through regular updates throughout the maintenance period and residents are reminded that the full recovery of impacted systems does take a couple of days.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Jun 23, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
23 June 2026
Customer Notice
Phase 2 of Rand Water planned maintenance scheduled for 17 July 2026
Residents are reminded that Rand Water will undertake the second phase of its planned maintenance on Friday, 17 July 2026, from 07:00 to 19:00. The work undertaken will be electrical work conducted by Eskom on Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch substation. The first phase of the maintenance took place from 29 May to 2 June 2026 and was successfully completed
As part of the maintenance, Rand Water will reduce pumping capacity from some of its systems. This will result in low water pressure to no water conditions in some Johannesburg Water systems during the maintenance period and in the recovery phase thereafter.
Once maintenance has been completed, Rand Water will resume normal pumping operations. However, the recovery of Johannesburg Water’s network will be gradual as reservoirs refill, system pressure is restored, and water supply stabilises across the network. Full system recovery is expected to take approximately five to seven days, depending on demand and system performance. Johannesburg Water will implement measures to reduce the impact on affected residents by providing alternative water where required, in coordination with Ward Councillors. Further communication, including affected areas and alternative water supply locations, will be provided closer to the maintenance date.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Jun 23, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
23 June 2026
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water Clarifies Reports Regarding Hillbrow Extortion Incident
Johannesburg Water notes with concern reports relating to the arrest of an individual in Hillbrow on 22 June 2026 for alleged extortion while posing as a municipal official.
Following an internal investigation, Johannesburg Water can confirm that the individual arrested is not an employee of Johannesburg Water. Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect was in possession of an access card issued by a meter reading contractor that last provided services to Johannesburg Water approximately three years ago.
According to information received from law enforcement authorities, the suspect allegedly demanded money from a building caretaker while threatening to disconnect the water supply. The matter was reported to the authorities, who conducted an operation that resulted in the suspect’s arrest.
Johannesburg Water condemns any form of fraud, extortion, corruption, or misrepresentation of the entity. We remain committed to protecting residents from criminal activities carried out by individuals who falsely claim to represent the organisation.
Residents are reminded that Johannesburg Water employees and authorised contractors are not permitted to solicit or accept cash payments for services. Any person requesting payment in exchange for municipal services should be reported immediately to the South African Police Service, Johannesburg Water, or the City of Johannesburg.
Service queries can be logged through the following channels
0860 056 2874 / 011 688 1699 I fault@jwater.co.za
Facebook: Johannesburg Water I X: @JHBWater
WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaN8jUf1SWsw4kYZEF1X
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
