by Teboho | Sep 30, 2025 | Media Statements 2025, System updates 2025
30 September 2025 – 13:00
Media Release
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.
by Teboho | Sep 14, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14 SEPTEMBER 2025
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
by Teboho | Sep 11, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11 SEPTEMBER 2025
Executive Mayor Briefing on Johannesburg’s Water Challenges and Sustainable Solutions
Executive Mayor, Councillor Dada Morero, along with the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Councillor Jack Sekwaila, and the Managing Director of Johannesburg Water, Ntshavheni Mukwevho, will provide an update this afternoon on the ongoing water challenges facing the Commando system. They will also outline the measures being implemented to address these issues.
DETAILS
Venue: Danie Van Zyl Recreation Centre
Address: 105 Rex St, Newlands, Randburg, 2092
Time: 15:00
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
by Malehlohonolo Mohomane | Sep 10, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
10 September 2025 – 12:00
Media Statement
R800 million Investment Injected for Commando Systems
Johannesburg Water is injecting over R800 million for a sustainable solution into resolving and improving the Commando Systems’ challenges. The main challenge for the System is insufficient bulk infrastructure, that is, reservoirs, bulk lines and pump stations, making it enormously vulnerable to any disruptions.
The commando system supplies sizeable communities in the Brixton, Crosby and Hurst Hill 1 and Hurst Hill 2 supply zones including, Mayfair, Coronationville, Westdene, Westbury, some parts of Ackland Park, Langlaagte North, Pageview, Vrededorp, Sophiatown, Claremont, Braamfontein, Melville, and Emmarentia amongst others.
The Entity is on track to complete and commission the new Brixton reservoir (26 Ml) and tower (2.2Ml) by end of October 2025. We are further installing a new bulk line (4.5 km of diameter ranging from 600mm to 1000mm) and 2 new pump stations planned to be completed in December 2026.
Johannesburg Water has since appointed a contractor to refurbish the Hurst Hill 2 reservoir, the contractor will complete the assignment in May 2026. A contractor to refurbish Hurst Hill 1 reservoir (currently on bypass as it is leaking), will be appointed in November 2025 with the completion date planned for October 2026.
It is important to state that recovery of the Commando System takes longer after any disruption because of the insufficient bulk infrastructure and that the R800 million investment will alleviate the systems’ sensitivity to interruptions.
These projects are but part of the broader Johannesburg Water’s ten-year R32.5 billion capital investment to maintain, refurbish and expand City of Johannesburg’s water and sanitation infrastructure. In the current financial year, Johannesburg Water will spend some R1.7 billion towards water and sanitation infrastructure projects.
Furthermore, the Entity will continue with its water conservation and water demand management interventions to reduce the overall demand and wastage. We plead with residents to continue to observe Level 1 water restrictions and use water responsibly.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
by Teboho | Sep 5, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
5 September 2025 – 15:00
Media Release
“No Day Zero looming for Joburg”
These were the reassuring words from Johannesburg Water’s Managing Director, Ntshavheni Mukwevho, during Friday morning’s media briefing.
The Entity held a short presser to provide an update on the current state of Johannesburg’s water supply, with a strong focus on the water supply issues experienced by the Commando System.
“We have enough potable water coming through the system. However, the demand for potable water has increased and become higher over the years. That is why we are also appealing to users to please reduce consumption, over and above Johannesburg Water’s own internal efforts to manage demand,” said Mukwevho.
This increased demand for water supply is one of the reasons why the Commando System has been struggling with supply issues.
“The Commando System is our most sensitive system due to the lack of sufficient bulk infrastructure. It is precisely for that reason that the City of Johannesburg is investing over R600 million into upgrading this system, to improve the infrastructure and ensure a reliable water supply,” Mukwevho continued.
The upgrades of the Commando System (comprising of the Hursthill, Crosby, and Brixton systems) include 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. This work is projected to be completed by December 2026.
Furthermore, Johannesburg Water’s construction of the new Brixton Reservoir and Tower is almost complete, with an estimated completion date of October 2025. This project aims to boost supply into the Commando System. The Hursthill 2 Reservoir will be repaired as part of WCWDM to refurbish leaking reservoirs, which all add to water losses.
Shorter-term strategies that the Entity is implementing to improve water supply and reduce water losses include the throttling (reducing the flow and pressure of water supply) of the systems, as well as retrofitting smart flow controllers to assist with reducing water losses, refurbishment of pressure reducing valves (PRVs) to help reduce the occurrence of burst pipes, as well as advanced leak detection.
“We want to ensure residents that Johannesburg Water is committed to ensuring these short term challenges are addressed. Thank you to our staff who are constantly on the ground working tirelessly to attend to service delivery issues; and thank you to our residents and customers for your patience and support during this time,” said Dineo Majavu, Johannesburg Water’s Board Chairperson.
The MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Cllr Jack Sekwaila, acknowledged the frustration and inconvenience water challenges have caused across the City.
“We have also witnessed the protests from various communities, particularly those that continually experience reduced to no water supply. It is imperative to note that the City does not deliberately deny residents water. The challenges occurring in areas struggling with consistent water supply is purely because of technical challenges and no malice on the part of Johannesburg Water.
“There is however a concerted effort by the Entity to reduce consumption across the City as part of the Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Strategy, thus the normalcy to reduced pressure and intermitted supply in the entire City. We fully understand the anger and anxiety being expressed by our communities where supply has been overly affected. We do not take it lightly and fully understand that no alternative supply can replace water supply coming from your tap. Johannesburg Water technical teams are employing various interventions aimed at gradually improving supply and optimising the system overall,” expressed Sekwaila.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by Teboho | Sep 1, 2025 | Media Statements 2025
1 September 2025 – 16:10
Customer Notice
Interim Water Supply Measures in Commando System Areas
Johannesburg Water is aware of the ongoing water supply challenges affecting high-lying suburbs supplied through the Commando System, including Westbury, Sophiatown, Coronationville and surrounding areas.
The Commando Systems comprises of the Brixton, Hursthill and Crosby reservoir complexes.
As a result, some high-lying areas are currently experiencing poor pressure or intermittent supply, while lower-lying areas continue to receive relatively stable supply.
Johannesburg Water technicians are employing various interventions aimed at gradually improving supply and optimising the system. However, residents are advised that there is currently no fixed timeframe for full recovery, as the Commando System is known to take time to stabilise once supply has been disrupted.
While major upgrades are underway to improve long-term reliability, Johannesburg Water has put the following interim measures in place to assist residents:
- Stationary and roaming water tankers are deployed daily in affected areas.
- Supply is prioritised for health facilities, schools, and old-age homes.
- Depots and standpipes are made available to supplement tanker runs where possible.
- Real-time monitoring of deliveries is in place to quickly respond to any late or missed runs.
- Closure of the Brixton and Hursthill outlets early from today, 1 September to build capacity so that there is supply in order to supply the high lying within the Commando system supply zone.
Regular updates will be provided as the systems gradually recover. Johannesburg Water remains committed to ensuring equitable access to water while system improvements are being rolled out.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
