by Teboho | Oct 30, 2024 | Media Statements 2024
EISD MMC, Cllr Jack Sekwaila
MD of Johannesburg Water, Mr Ntshavheni Mukwevho
Leadership from Johannesburg Water and the City
Members of the Media
Residents of the City of Johannesburg
Thank you for joining us for this very important media briefing, to update residents on the state of the water supply and systems in the city, the Water Demand Management and Water Conservation initiatives as well as the mitigation plans, we have put in place to provide relief to residents.
Johannesburg Water must strike a difficult balancing act to handle water consumption that is outpacing supply caused mainly by uncertainty surrounding future trends in population expansion, water demand, infrastructure investment needs, and budget constraints. These challenges place immense strain on our bulk water system and jeopardise the sustainability of the water supply.
The Entity is addressing more than just the issue of consumption. The unaccounted- for water lost through leaks is equally concerning. Better water demand management is required to address the excessive use and water losses. A 5-year Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Strategy has since been developed and approved and interventions include
* Repairs of leaking reservoirs and tower infrastructure.
* Repairs and replacement of zonal bulk water meters.
* Active and passive leak detection.
* Retrofitting and removal of wasteful devices (Infrastructure upgrade and renewal).
* By-law enforcement (Illegal connection cut-off and reconnections).
* Replacement and refurbishment of large gate valves.
* Water pipe replacement.
* Domestic and large consumer meter replacement.
The strategy aims to reduce demand by 37 123 mega litres per annum, from the technical interventions. Water Conservation initiatives will contribute with further demand reduction.
Furthermore, a collaboration between Rand Water and the City of Johannesburg was initiated in February 2024 to intervene on increasing water consumption within the City of Johannesburg. Subsequently, several meetings convened between CoJ and Rand Water to formulate an action plan in response.
Restrictions are currently being implemented on the top 30 bulk supply meters which accounts for 97% of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) total consumption.
Also important to highlight is that with Johannesburg’s population on the rise, the need for a robust and efficient water supply and sanitation system is paramount. Johannesburg Water has an infrastructure renewal backlog to the value of R26 billion and water infrastructure accounting R11 billion. Funding limitations are delaying the eradication of this backlog resulting in further aging of infrastructure.
We are also working on improving its water billing systems and investigating areas where non-revenue water is rising. Teams have been set up to review billing volumes, and the current metering system is being enhanced to track revenue and non-revenue water more effectively.
An important reminder to all of us as residents of the City, is that level-1 water restrictions are currently in place. These are implemented annually from 1 September to 31 March of the following year. However, conserving water is a year- round responsibility. The restrictions are put in place to ensure the stability of our systems, because with the warmer weather, there’s a sharp increase in demand
which risks outstripping supply. The restrictions prohibit the use of hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars, clean driveways, and fill up swimming pools and water features between.
The Entity will continue to mitigate water losses and improve the reliability of water supply. We urge Johannesburg residents and businesses in the city to work with us in addressing the unsustainably high-water consumption, particularly during warmer months. Collective efforts are essential to safeguard our water resources for future generations.
by Teboho | Oct 29, 2024 | Media Statements 2024
Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
29 October 2024
Executive Mayor to Host Press Briefing on Water Supply Challenges in Johannesburg
The City of Johannesburg invites members of the media to a press briefing hosted by Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero, alongside the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Department, Cllr Jack Sekwaila, and officials from Johannesburg
Water. This briefing will address the current water supply challenges facing the city. The media briefing will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Time: 14:00
Venue: Brixton Flying Squad Police Station entrance, 50 Caroline Street, Jan Hofmeyer. (Please drive up the road to the site camp once inside the police station.)
During the briefing, a comprehensive overview of the recent water supply issues will be provided, along with details of the mitigation strategies and interventions that Johannesburg Water has implemented to address the situation.
Important Note: For safety precautions on-site, media attendees are requested to wear closed shoes wherever possible. This is an opportunity for the media to gain insights directly from city leadership regarding an issue impacting many residents and to ask questions pertaining to the current and future water management strategies.
We look forward to your participation.
For RSVP and media inquiries, please contact: Nthatisi Modingoane – Deputy
Director Media Relations on nthatisem@joburg.org.za
END
Issued by the City of Johannesburg
For all media queries, send an email to mediaqueries@joburg.org.za.
by Teboho | Oct 28, 2024 | Media Statements 2024
28 October 2024 – 13:00
Media Release
Plans to boost water supply in Midrand area with construction of Carlswald reservoir & upgrade water network
As part of its mandate to maintain and upgrade water infrastructure and provide services, Johannesburg Water has a reservoir and water pipeline project to upgrade the water pipeline network in Carlswald, Midrand, and improve water storage to communities.
The purpose of the Carlswald Water Pipeline project is to upgrade the water pipeline network in Carlswald, Midrand, and is a prerequisite to the bigger plan to build the new Carlswald Reservoir.
The pipeline project is progressing well and is at the Environmental Assessment stage as well as Public Participation Process stage. A positive environmental authorisation was granted in September 2024.
The 20 megalitre-Carlswald Reservoir Detail Designs have been completed. The construction of the reservoir will begin once a contractor is appointed. The process is currently at the procurement stage.
“The building of this new Carlswald Reservoir will improve water storage, as well as ensure an uninterrupted supply of water in the area. There is constant urban development in the City (more so in Midrand/Blue Hills/Kyalami areas) and Johannesburg Water needs to ensure that our infrastructure and service delivery matches the growing population,” says Johannesburg Water’s General Manager: Capex, William Chitsa.
The proposed pipeline is approximately 5.1km in length and will start on Walton Road and end just outside the Blue Hills Country Estate entrance and will service current and future developments in the area.
“The pipeline is required to implement the new Carlswald Reservoir supply zone project, to augment the Errand Reservoir – which does not have sufficient capacity. This will in turn supplement and improve storage capacity at the Errand system.”
The communities that will benefit from the project is Barbeque Downs extensions 47, 38, 22, 35, 49, 9, 19, 33, 27, 45, 21, 17, 12, 46, 48, 32, 36, 5, 24, 1, 25, 7, 13, and 28; Kyalami Park, Kyalami Heights, Kyalami AH, Kyalami AH extension 1, Kyalami extensions 2, 3, and 14; Kyalami Estate extension 17, Kyalami Gardens extensions 1, 13, 14, 15, 16, 12, 19, 21, 22, 23, and 24; Beaulieu, Blue Hils extension 8 and 9; Willaway; Willaway extensions 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14; Glenferness A.H extensions 1 and 2; Glenferness A.H, Treesbank A.H, as well as Plooysville A.H.
Ends
Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Teboho | Oct 24, 2024 | Media Statements 2024
24 October 2024 – 12:00
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water pleads with customers to be water ambassadors
As part of ongoing efforts to protect and conserve our precious water resources, Johannesburg Water is calling on its customers and the wider community to join forces in saving water and promoting sustainable water use.
With growing concerns over water scarcity, every drop counts, and we can all play a part in preserving this vital resource for future generations and avoid the possibility of a water crisis.
Due to high consumption, Johannesburg Water’s reservoirs and towers are on the verge of depletion with levels at historical lows. As responsible citizens it is more critical now than ever to adopt water-saving practices both in our homes and workplaces.
Johannesburg must strike a difficult balancing act to handle water consumption that is outpacing supply because of the uncertainty surrounding future trends in population expansion, water demand, infrastructure investment needs, and budget constraints. This trend places immense strain on our bulk water system and jeopardises the sustainability of our water supply.
The Entity is addressing more than just the issue of consumption. The unaccounted- for water lost through leaks is equally concerning. Better water demand management is required to address both excessive use and water losses.
Johannesburg Water has an ongoing Water Conservation and Water Demand Management (WCWDM) Programme that addresses the dire need for a continuous and sustainable water supply and to reduce strain on Johannesburg’s water supply networks.
The Entity’s WCWDM Programme includes a range of strategies that aim to reduce losses and decrease system input volume. Some of these programmes include repairs to identified leaking reservoirs, as well as retrofitting smart flow controllers on the outlets of 28 high-consumption reservoirs and towers to reduce water losses on the system. This will lead to improved and stable levels in these reservoir systems.
Johannesburg Water will reinstate and refurbish conventional pressure reducing valves (PRVs) that are currently not operational due to vandalism and technical faults. Smart pressure controllers will be installed on key network zonal PRVs in order to reduce bursts. All these interventions aim to reduce high pressures within the Entity’s system, thereby reducing minimum night flows and losses.
We urge all stakeholders to recognise the gravity of this situation and take immediate action to reduce water usage. Collective efforts are essential to safeguard our water resources for future generations.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Teboho | Oct 17, 2024 | Media Statements 2024
17 October 2024 – 13:45
Media Statement
Update: Westbury and Coronationville interventions
Johannesburg Water continues to engage with ward councillors of the Westbury and Coronationville communities, informing them of the ongoing projects to improve water supply in the areas. Recently (Friday, 11 October 2024), the Entity held an urgent meeting with local councillors to discuss the situation, ongoing infrastructure upgrades, as well as to seek their assistance in encouraging residents to reduce water consumption.
This will be done through the Commando System Project, which will boost water supply to the district. The Commando System consists of the Hursthill, Crosby, and Brixton Reservoirs, and the project, which is at around 55% completion, will be executed as a phased approach.
Phase 1 is the construction of the New Brixton Reservoir, Tower, and Pumpstation, which are currently in progress. This is at around 60% completion.
Phase 2 is the upgrading of the existing Crosby Pumpstation, including a new rising main from the Crosby Pumpstation to the inlet of the Hursthill Reservoir to augment and boost supply, as well as the upgrading of the supply line from the Commando Meter to the Hursthill and Crosby Reservoirs. The contract is currently out on tender, which is closing at the end of October 2024. Construction is expected to commence in March 2025.
From today, Johannesburg Water teams will implement configurations to the Crosby Pump Station. The planned work forms part of phase one of the Commando System Project, and will take place from today, 17 October 2024 at 18:00 until Friday, 18 October 2024 at 02:00. A valve will be installed at the pump station during maintenance.
These are the Entity’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.
Affected areas: Hursthill, Crosby, Rossmore, Vrededorp, Vredepark, Bosmont, Croesus, Industria, Industria ext 1 – 3, Industria North, Industria North ext 1, Industria North, Industria West, Langlaagte, Langlaagte North and Longdale.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Teboho | Oct 7, 2024 | Media Statements 2024
7 October 2024 – 14:30
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water intensifies strategies to curb water losses
Water Demand Management and conservation is a strong priority in the City of Johannesburg; and in support of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s drive to drastically improve Gauteng’s water security, Johannesburg Water has an ongoing Water Conservation and
Water Demand Management (WCWDM) Programme.
Senior Manager for Water Demand Management and Technical Metering, Logan Munsamy said: “Operating concurrently with the City’s annual water restrictions, the WCWDM Programme was implemented to ensure a continuous and sustainable water supply and to reduce strain on Johannesburg’s water supply networks.”
The Entity’s WCWDM Programme includes a range of strategies that aim to reduce losses
and decrease system input volume.
1. Commando System Project
There are three main projects within the Commando System that aim to improve water supply to this district and will be executed as a phased approach. The project is at around 55% completion.
(a) Phase 1: Construction of the New Brixton Reservoir, Tower, and Pumpstation, which are currently in progress. This is at around 60% completion.
(b) Phase 2: Upgrading of the existing Crosby Pumpstation, including a new rising main from the Crosby Pumpstation to the inlet of the Hursthill Reservoir to augment and boost supply, as well as the upgrading of the supply line from the Commando Meter to the Hursthill and Crosby Reservoirs. The contract is currently out on tender, which is closing at the end of October 2024. Construction is expected to commence in March 2025.
2. Repairs to leaking reservoirs
The Entity has identified and assessed 42 leaking reservoirs, with plans in place to repair 20 of them as high priority in order to curb water losses. The 20 reservoirs are at various stages, and this project will continue over the next few years.
3. On-property leaks
There is a project aimed at fixing on-property leaks at residential homes as well as the rollout of the STS smart meters project, which will better manage and measure consumption and improve billing. This is done together with the replacement of customer meters and will at the same time address the challenge of illegal connections. All these projects aim to reduce physical losses and reduce non-revenue water losses.
4. Smart flow controllers
The Entity will retrofit smart flow controllers on the outlets of 28 high-consumption reservoirs and towers. This will assist in reducing water losses on the system and will lead to improved and stable levels in these reservoir systems.
5. Pressure management
The Entity will reinstate and refurbish conventional pressure reducing valves (PRVs) that are currently not operational due to vandalism and technical faults. Further to this, smart pressure controllers will be installed on key network zonal PRVS in order to reduce bursts . All these interventions aim to reduce high pressures within the Entity’s system, thereby reducing minimum night flows and losses.
“The Entity will continue to mitigate water losses and improve the reliability of water supply. Similarly, we urge Johannesburg residents and businesses in the city to work with us in addressing the unsustainably high-water consumption, particularly during warmer months,”
Munsamy added.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
