by Teboho | Jan 9, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 09 JANUARY 2026
Emergency Water and Electricity Interruption – Yeoville and Surrounding Areas
The City of Johannesburg wishes to inform residents and businesses in Yeoville and the surrounding areas of an emergency situation that has resulted in the temporary interruption of both water and electricity services. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and distress this disruption may cause, particularly given the short notice.
A major burst water pipe has occurred on the main supply line feeding the Yeoville Reservoir. This has already impacted water supply in the area, with customers experiencing low water pressure or a complete loss of water.
To allow repair teams to work safely, the electricity supply in the immediate vicinity of the burst will be temporarily switched off from 22h00 this evening. The damaged water pipe is located extremely close to high-voltage underground electricity cables, and keeping the power on during excavation would pose a serious risk to the lives of personnel on site.
This temporary power interruption is therefore a critical safety measure to protect workers and prevent further damage to essential infrastructure.
Areas affected by the electricity interruption include:
- Yeoville
- Grafton Road
- Fortesque Street
- Harley Street
Areas that may experience low water pressure or no water include:
Yeoville, Bellevue, Observatory, Linksfield, Berea, Doornfontein, Jeppestown, Fairview, Troyville, parts of Kensington, Braamfontein, Parktown, Johannesburg CBD, Newtown, Selby, Forest Hill, Turffontein, Rosettenville, La Rochelle, Turf Club, Kenilworth, Glenesk, Regents Park and Village Deep.
Water reservoir levels in the affected supply zone continue to decline, and pumping operations have been temporarily suspended while emergency repairs are underway.
At this stage, an exact time for full restoration cannot yet be confirmed. However, repair teams are working continuously, with the intention of restoring both water and electricity services by Saturday morning, subject to repair conditions.
Teams from City Power and Johannesburg Water are working closely and in coordination to resolve the matter as safely and efficiently as possible. Residents will be kept informed through regular updates as progress is made.
We thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during this emergency. Ensuring the safety of our communities and the personnel working to restore services remains our highest priority.
Issued by the City of Joburg
For enquiries, kindly send to mediaqueries@joburg.org.za
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by Teboho | Jan 5, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
5 January 2026 – 15:00
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water is ready for the final phase of Rand Water maintenance
Johannesburg Water has confirmed its full operational readiness for the final phase of Rand Water’s scheduled maintenance programme, aimed at improving the reliability and sustainability of the bulk water supply system.
The third and final leg of Rand Water’s planned maintenance on their systems is scheduled to take place from 6 January 2026 at 04:00 until 8 January 2026at 08:00.
This last step of the maintenance forms part of Rand Water’s long-term infrastructure investment programme and is designed to strengthen system capacity, reduce unplanned outages, and enhance water security across Gauteng.
The Johannesburg Water systems expected to be impacted during this phase include:
- Meadowlands Reservoir and Direct Feeds: Meadowlands (all zones & extensions), Tshepo Themba, Dube, Central Western Jabavu & Ext. 1, Mofolo Central & North, Orlando West, Zondi, and Mmesi Park.
- Doornkop Reservoir and Direct Feeds: Dobsonville Gardens, Dobsonville (all extensions), Lufhereng (all extensions), Protea City, Protea Glen (all extensions), Thulani (all extensions), Doornkop(all extensions), Green Village, Slovoville (all extensions), Tshepisong(all extensions), and Leratong Village.
- Bramfischerville Reservoir 1&2 and Direct Feeds: Braamfischerville (all extensions), Mmesi Park, Durban Deep, Sol Plaatjies, and Goudrand.
- Roodepoort Deep: Hamberg, Rand Leases (all extensions), Discovery Ext. 9, Georginia, Roodepoort, and Creswell Park.
- Fleurhof Reservoir: Lea Glen, Fleurhof (all extensions).
Due to the interconnected nature of the systems, a secondary impact may occur in the other neighbouring areas.
During maintenance, the volume of bulk water supplied to JohannesburgWater’s network will be significantly reduced. As a result, affected reservoirs will gradually deplete, and residents may experience low water pressure or no water.
Johannesburg Water has implemented comprehensive preparedness measures to minimise the impact of the maintenance on residents and businesses. “The City of Johannesburg, in collaboration with Johannesburg Water and RandWater, has implemented extensive operational and contingency plans to reduce the impact of this maintenance. Reservoir levels have been managed in advance, response teams are on standby, and alternative water will be supplied to affected communities through stationary and roaming tankers during both the maintenance and recovery periods. We assure residents that communication is a priority,” says City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Mr Dada Morero.
“The City and Johannesburg Water will provide regular updates through councillors, official platforms, and customer notices to ensure communities receive accurate and timely information. We acknowledge the inconvenience this maintenance will cause to households, businesses, and institutions across Johannesburg. However, this work is essential to safeguarding the City’s long-term water security. We will continue to work with Rand Water and key stakeholders to manage this maintenance, prioritising our residents’ interests.
” After maintenance ends and pumping resumes on 8 January 2026, JohannesburgWater’s infrastructure will require at least 3 – 5 days to fully recover. Although direct feeds are the first to lose water, they are, however, the first to recover when pumping resumes.
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Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
by Teboho | Dec 11, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
11 December 2025
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
To confirm attendance, please contact nombuso.shabalala@jwater.co.za / 083 604 4072.
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Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Teboho | Nov 26, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
26 November 2025 – 16:15
Media Release
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.
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Oct 8, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
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.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Oct 8, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
8 October 2025 – 12:45
Media Statement
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.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
