by Teboho | Mar 12, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
12 March 2025
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water pumps R92 million into new Erand Tower and Pump Station infrastructure project to boost water supply in Midrand
Johannesburg Water has invested R92 million into a new infrastructure project that will help boost water supply into the Midrand area.
Construction of the new Erand Tower and Pump Station project is currently underway and will serve as additional capacity to the existing Erand Reservoir complex.
Part of the existing Midrand system consists of the Erand Reservoir site, which comprises a 25 megalitre (Ml) capacity reservoir, a 9Ml capacity reservoir, as well as a pump station. The existing pump station sources water from the 9Ml reservoir and delivers it to a 0.5Ml capacity water tower elevated to 30m above ground level to produce the required hydrostatic pressure for the distribution of potable water to the local communities.
âThe Johannesburg Water Master Plan proposed a new and upgraded water pump station which will supply both the new 2Ml water tower and the 0.5Ml existing tower,â explains Johannesburg Waterâs Project Manager, Pfunzo Mudzanani.
âTo increase water storage capacity of the existing system, specifically for higher lying areas, and to unlock the Midrand area for further development, Johannesburg Water is building a new 2Ml water tower and pump station. This will increase the current storage capacity as a result, and will provide a water network with adequate capacity to meet both present and ultimate demands.â
The construction of the new Erand Tower and Pump Station forms part of the Entityâs Reservoir Storage Upgrade Programme, which aims to ensure the provision of a 24- hour storage capacity in all the Entityâs reservoirs. The project is currently about 60% complete, and upon completion, it will boost water supply in Carlswald, Blue Hills, Kyalami, and Barbeque Downs.
The storage capacity is required to mitigate against service disruption should network bursts occur or should there be a supply disruption from the bulk supplier, as well as maintaining adequate supply pressure in the reticulation system.
Scope of works:
- Construction of a new 30m high elevated reinforced concrete water tower with a capacity of 2Ml. This includes the design and construction of piles, ground beams, shaft walls, columns, radial beams and a cylindrical water tank.
- Construction of a new pump station housing four pumps each, with a head of 37m drawing water from the existing 25 Ml reservoir and delivering to both the new and existing water towers, including all the necessary appurtenances and control systems.
- Installation of all inlet and outlet pipework from the reservoir to the pump station and connecting to the existing distribution network.
- Cathodic Protection and Telemetry requirements.
- Installation of power supply to the new pump station as well as installation of a standby generator and lightning protection.
- Construction of new manholes and inlet and outlet chambers.
- Construction of paving around the pump station and tower.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Teboho | Mar 11, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
11 March 2025 â 09:30
Media Release
Johannesburg Water disconnects customers owing over R2.7 million in Sunninghill, Glenvista & Buccleuch
On Monday, 10 March 2025, Johannesburg Water embarked on a Level 1 Disconnections Drive.
The 15 customers who were disconnected yesterday live in gated communities and complexes in the south and north of Johannesburg and collectively owe over R2.7 million.
The suburbs include Glenvista, Sunninghill, and Buccleuch. Johannesburg Waterâs disconnection teams have been experiencing issues with accessing gated communities and complexes, where teams are often denied access to the properties.
“For example, a property owner in Sunninghill did not want to give Johannesburg Water access into the estate yesterday. The Johannesburg Metro Police Department, which joined the operation to escort the Entity on the drive, had to intervene for Johannesburg Water to gain access,” says Siphindile Ngange, Senior Manager, Metering & Revenue.
“This is part of our efforts towards revenue collection, which is crucial for the maintenance and upgrading of the City of Johannesburg’s water and sewer infrastructure. One customer, for example, owes over R333 000 on their account, while two others owe over R100 000 each.”
Johannesburg Water’s Credit Management Department disconnected a total of 15 properties. The customers will have to either make full payments on their accounts or make payment arrangements with the City’s Credit Management Department.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Teboho | Feb 25, 2025 | Media Statement, Media Statements 2025
23 July 2025 â 13:00
Media Release
Johannesburg Water takes over billing function from CoJ to improve efficiency
Johannesburg Water has assumed full responsibility for the water and sanitation billing functions previously managed by the City of Johannesburgâs (CoJ) Revenue Shared Services Centre (RSSC), effective 1 July 2025.
This significant development marks a new era in service delivery and customer care for residents and businesses across the city.
âThis strategic transition marks a turning point in our continuous commitment to improve service delivery, enhance operational efficiency, and improving accuracy in billing, therefore ensuring greater accountability in our customer billing processes,â says Johannesburg Waterâs Managing Director, Ntshavheni Mukwevho.
The transfer includes the full scope of billing operations related to water and sanitation services, and Johannesburg Water has put systems, staff capacity, and customer support mechanisms in place to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to services.
The customer will continue to receive one consolidated statement reflecting all services, including rates, electricity, refuse, water, and sanitation. It is important to note that invoicing for these services remains the responsibility of CoJ. Currently, the billing queries are still being logged through the normal CoJ Call Centre and Regional Offices.
âBy managing billing internally, Johannesburg Water will be better positioned to respond directly to customer queries, address discrepancies swiftly, and introduce innovations tailored to our customersâ needs.â
Customers can expect:
⢠Enhanced accuracy in monthly water bills
⢠Faster resolution of billing queries
⢠Greater transparency and direct communication with Johannesburg Water
The transition process has been carefully planned in coordination with the CoJ to ensure continuity of service and minimal disruption to residents. Johannesburg Water and the CoJ are also exploring how queries logged through our Call Centre can be integrated into the Cityâs Customer Relationship Management system to assist in resolving billing queries.
âWe thank the CoJ for their collaboration and support in this transition, and we look forward to continuing to serve the residents of Johannesburg with increased efficiency and responsiveness,â said Mukwevho.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
Email queries to: jw.media@jwater.co.za
by Teboho | Nov 14, 2024 | Media Statements 2024
14 November 2024
STRICTLY UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 15 NOVEMBER AT 09:00
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water to continue operations on illegal water connections in Emndeni, Soweto
Johannesburg Water will proceed with its planned operation to disconnect illegal water connections in Emndeni, Soweto (Region D) on Friday, 15 November 2024. This follows a similar operation in the Phumla Mqashi area on Tuesday, 13 November.
The operation is part of Johannesburg Water’s ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by unauthorised connections, which undermine the integrity of the city’s water network and contribute to water wastage.
Given the potential risks associated with this operation, including possible community resistance and unrest among affected residents, Johannesburg Water is reviewing security measures to ensure the safety of employees and the success of the operation.
To support these efforts, Johannesburg Water Security, along with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), South African Police Service (SAPS), and Public Order Policing Services (POPS), will be on standby.
These precautions are in place to ensure a safe, effective operation while addressing the critical issue of illegal water connections.
The meeting point will be Avalon Prepayment Depot, 1 Calendula Road, Klipspruit West (opposite the Pikitup Depot) at 09:00.
For media queries, contact Nombuso Shabalala on 083 604 4072.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Teboho | Nov 13, 2024 | Media Statements 2024
Media Release
For Immediate Release
13 November 2024
Johannesburg Water confirms that the Constitutional Court precinct has no water supply challenges
Johannesburg Water has learned of a media statement sent from the Office of the Chief Justice about water operations hampering the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) from 1 November 2024
Johannesburg Water confirms that they have been in constant contact with the maintenance personnel from the ConCourt. The Office of the Executive Mayor together with Johannesburg Water JW visited the Concourt today to establish the information contained in the statement.
The City of Johannesburg team met the facility and operation manager who confirmed that the Joburg Water team has been available to provide assistance where there are supply challenges in the system.
They further confirmed that there is piped water currently and there are no supply challenges.
Furthermore, Johannesburg Water and the ConCourt have established an operational arrangement to escalate any water related issue or for assistance as and when required. As such there has been no request for assistance with water tanking. Johannesburg Water has a good working relationship with the maintenance department of the constitutional court and when there is a requirement or request for alternative water supply, the Johannesburg Water Onsite Inspector has always been available to the court.
The Johannesburg Water Onsite Inspector and the management of the Southdale Depot have consistently been available to the court, when there is a need or request for alternative water supply.
Accordingly, the cordial relationship between Councourt and Joburg Water is officially confirmed by a number of appreciation correspondences received by Joburg Water from the Office of the Chief Justice.
Johannesburg Water and by extension the City of Johannesburg, maintains a positive working relationship with the ConCourt, however we remain concerned by the correspondence that is causing a panic when there established dedicated platform to the Concourt so that the business of this important continues seamlessly.
END
Enquiries: Chris Vondo
Spokesperson for the Executive Mayor
Contact details: 079 851 9908 or email mediaqueries@joburg.org.za
by Teboho | Nov 12, 2024 | Media Statements 2024
12 November 2024 â 16:00
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water halts illegal connection operation in Lenasia as residents retaliate
Johannesburg Water had to call off a planned disconnection operation shortly after it began this morning in Phumla Mqashi informal settlement, in Lenasia South.
This operation was part of the Entityâs ongoing efforts to address the substantial challenges posed by unauthorised connections to the cityâs water network, which are also a major contributor to water losses, and escalating the non-revenue water.
Johannesburg Water was accompanied by JMPD officials. However, the operation was met with hostility and was abandoned shortly after it began. Community members mobilised and a stand-off ensued between JPMPD and community members, who blocked off the two main entrances into the area the disconnections were taking place.
Residents then threw rocks at Johannesburg Water and JMPD officials, who used rubber bullets to disperse the angry crowd. The operation was subsequently called off.
Protestors also barricaded a section of the Golden Highway between Wimbledon and Sheffield Street in Lenasia South and Phumla Mqashi.
Phumla Mqashi, an area without a formal water supply infrastructure, was initially served by water tanks to meet residents’ needs. However, due to ongoing land invasions and subsequent illegal water connections, these tanks were vandalised, leading to increased strain on the local water supply network.
Johannesburg Waterâs Operations team will discuss a way forward regarding implementing disconnections following the incident, as well as restoring water tank services in the area to assist in maintaining basic services for the community.
Ends
Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
