Invite: Media briefing on upcoming Rand Water maintenance to impact the City of Johannesburg.
Johannesburg Water invites members of the media to a press briefing on the upcoming Rand Water maintenance and its anticipated impact on Johannesburg Water’s systems.
Rand Water will be conducting planned maintenance on their systems during December 2025 and January 2026.
The briefing will outline the scope of Rand Water’s maintenance work, expected supply constraints, areas to be affected, and Johannesburg Water’s mitigation measures to manage the impact. The briefing will also include the official launch of Johannesburg Water’s water tanker fleet, which will form a key part of the contingency measures to support residents in affected areas during the maintenance period.
In attendance will be City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero, the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD), Cllr Jack Sekwaila; Johannesburg Water’s Managing Director, Mr Ntshavheni Mukwevho; Johannesburg Water Board Chairperson, Ms Dineo Majavu; as well as other senior management from the Entity.
Date: Friday, 12 December 2025 Time: 12:30 – 13:30 Venue: Johannesburg Water Langlaagte Depot, 2 Link Road, Langlaagte
Johannesburg Water opens its doors to media, showcasing high-tech leak detection efforts
Johannesburg Water hosted a media tour today that offered journalists a rare, close-up look at the utility’s intensified leak detection operations, an essential component of the City of Johannesburg’s strategy to curb water losses and protect its fragile water supply.
“With South Africa facing increasing water scarcity and ageing infrastructure, the Entity has adopted a more proactive and high-tech approach to managing leaks,” says Johannesburg Water’s Thega Kandasamy, Acting Physical Loss Manager.
“Today we highlighted how Johannesburg Water is leveraging advanced technology and specialised equipment to find and fix leaks faster, ultimately reducing non-revenue water and improving service reliability for residents.”
During the tour, Johannesburg Water highlighted the suite of advanced tools and systems that form the backbone of its Leak Detection Programme, including:
Acoustic leak detection devices are used to listen for and pinpoint hidden leaks along pipelines.
Correlators that analyse sound frequencies to identify the exact location of underground losses.
Pressure management through pressure-reducing valves (PRVs).
Digital monitoring and evaluation of both the PRV smart controllers and the noise loggers.
Johannesburg Water has thus far installed 51 smart controllers and 225 noiseloggers across the City, with plans to install additional smart controllers, noise loggers, and leak detection equipment.
These technologies enable Johannesburg Water to adopt a proactive rather than reactive approach, significantly reducing response times, preventing avoidable bursts, and improvingservice reliability.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
Johannesburg Water, in partnership with Wits Enterprise, is proud to announce the launch of a pioneering pilot project aimed at improving access to reliable water supply in informal settlements through the use of underground water sources.
“This innovative project marks a significant step in addressing long-standing water supply challenges in underserved communities across the City of Johannesburg. By tapping into underground aquifers, Johannesburg Water aims to supplement existing water infrastructure and ensure that all residents — regardless of where they live — have consistent access to safe water,” said Johannesburg Water’s Managing Director, Ntshavheni Mukwevho.
The pilot phase, targeted at nine informal settlements across the Deep South (Region G), involves the drilling of boreholes and the creation of localised water distribution points. The goal is to test the viability, sustainability, and scalability of underground water as a complementary source to the city’s bulk water supply, particularly in areas with limited or no formal infrastructure. This project will be the first of its kind to improve water supply for informal settlements throughout the City of Johannesburg. Work has begun at the Water Works, Marikana, and Kokotela informal settlements; and next, the project will move to the Phumla Mqashi and Narens Farm informal settlements.
The Deep South is an area with a high volume of informal settlements and illegal water connections, which has put a strain on the Deep South systems due to the demand exceeding available supply/capacity.
“We are truly grateful to Johannesburg Water and all its partners for this project. We will ensure that we safeguard the project as water is life, and is also a scarce resource,” said Keletso Mbele, community leader for Water Works Informal Settlement.
Ends Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
Johannesburg Water strongly condemns the assault of one of its illegal connections investigators, who was attacked by a customer during the execution of his duties in Tulisa Park, Johannesburg South, on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.
The investigator was at the property to investigate a suspected illegal reconnection after the customer was disconnected by Credit Management Disconnection (Level 1). The Entity views any act of violence against our employees with the utmost seriousness and will not tolerate such behaviour under any circumstances.
The matter has been reported to law enforcement authorities, and we are cooperating fully to ensure that appropriate legal action is taken. We will also be providing the affected employee with the necessary support and counselling.
Our employees work diligently to provide essential water and sanitation services to the residents of Johannesburg. We urge residents and customers to please allow Johannesburg Water’s staff to carry out their responsibilities in a safe and respectful environment, free from threats, intimidation, or harm.
Johannesburg Water appeals to all customers to raise concerns or disputes through the proper channels and to treat our staff with the respect and dignity they deserve. Acts of violence undermine service delivery and will be met with the full extent of the law.
Ends Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
Improved water supply as Entity completes pipe replacement in Sharonlea, Randburg
Residents of Sharonlea in Randburg can look forward to improved water services following the completion of the Entity’s water pipe replacement project. The project involved the replacement of ageing asbestos cement water pipes, enhancing the reliability and safety of the suburb’s water infrastructure.
The project is part of efforts to upgrade water infrastructure and conserve water. Johannesburg Water’s Pipe Replacement Programme needs to renew 2 312km of water pipeline, with a total budget of R1.13 billion required to carry out the water pipe replacement programme.
This programme is designed to ensure a continued reduction of non-revenue water (NRW), pipe bursts and sewer blockages throughout the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), and to sustain a good level of service to the City’s customers.
“To maximise the lifespan of infrastructure to ensure sustainability and reliability through a programmed and systematic approach to pipeline rehabilitation and renewal,” says Johannesburg Water’s Trevor Mbonani, Capex Project Manager.
The project in Sharonlea began in October 2024 and was completed in August 2025. The aged asbestos cement water pipes, which are rigid and therefore susceptible to bursts, were replaced with uPVC Class 16 high-impact pipes, which are more durable. The total length of pipe replaced is 1220m.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
Executive Mayor Councillor Dada Morero will hold a media briefing tomorrow morning, alongside the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Councillor Jack Sekwaila, and the Managing Director of Johannesburg Water, Ntshavheni Mukwevho. The briefing will address the ongoing water challenges facing Johannesburg, with a particular focus on updates from the Alexander Park and Berea Reservoirs. Please note that the Alexander Park Reservoir is currently constrained, with its outlets closed due to supply and infrastructure limitations. Members of the media are invited to attend and cover this critical discussion on the city’s water issues.
DETAILS
Date:15 September 2025
Venue: Alexander Park Reservoir
Address: 307 Bayswater Rd, Kensington B, Randburg
Time: 07:00 am
ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Khathutshelo Mulaudzi
Acting Director of Mayoral Communications
070 362 3295
For interviews with Johannesburg Water
Nolwazi Dlamini 078 606 5665
