18 April 2019
Release: Immediate

MMC of Environment, Infrastructure, and Service Delivery Cllr Nico De Jager would like to remind all residents if the City of Johannesburg that level 1 water restrictions in the City of Johannesburg are still in place and all customers are urged to continue to use water sparingly as we approach winter months which means less rainfall.

Johannesburg Water,  in an effort to maintain a culture of water conservation is still implementing Level -1  water restrictions according to section 44 (3) of the Water Services By-law:

• On an annual basis, between 06:00 – 18:00 during 1 September and 31 March; and between 08:00 – 16h00 during 1 April and 31 August, all consumers are prohibited from watering and irrigating their gardens; and
• All consumers are prohibited from using a hose-pipe to clean paved areas and driveways with municipal water

South Africa is a water scarce country and at all times residents are reminded to conserve water by practicing the following water saving tips:

• Do not leave taps dripping.
• Wash your car on the grass. This will water your lawn at the same time.
• Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe.
• Shorten your showering time.
• Use a glass of water to rinse when brushing your teeth.
• Take shallow baths. Avoid filling your bath to a depth greater than 100mm.
• Re-use water to water your garden or pot plants.

Residents are also advised to continue to report all burst pipes, leaking water meters, and open hydrants to:

• 011 375 5555
• SMS 082 653 2143 or
• johannesburgwater.co.za
• @Jhbwater- Twitter

The risk of demand outstripping supply in the intervening period between now and the commissioning of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Project (2025) remains a real threat.

The implementation of by-law enforcement is critical for Johannesburg and consumers are urged to continue to report non-compliance by phoning the JMPD 24/7 hotline on 011 758 9650.

Ends

Cllr. Nico De Jager
MMC: Environment and Infrastructure Services Department
Tel: +27 11 587-4257/4275
Cell: +27 83 899 2127
Email:nicode@joburg.org.za

04 April 2019
Immediate Release

Joburg Water (JW) officials rendering service delivery have been exposed to criminal activities that are life threatening mainly in Eldorado Park, Klipspruit West and Hostels in Soweto and neighbouring communities. Our Operations staff has been subjected to constant mugging and robbing incidents by criminal elements in the above mentioned areas, which have been steadily rising from 2017.

Employees have been robbed of tools from their vehicles as well as personal belongings such as money and cell phones, usually at knife and gun point. JW vehicles have also been damaged and employees physically attacked by these criminal elements.

This has led to our employees requiring medical attention and trauma counselling to help them deal with challenges experienced in the course of serving the residents of the City. Furthermore, as of Monday 25 March 2019, our teams are refusing to enter these areas for fear of their lives, and service delivery is suffering as a result.

We appeal to all residents, community leadership of the mentioned areas to look after our staff as they render service that is vital for all. JW won’t compromise official’s lives if the community is unable to ensure their safety while on duty.

Incidents on Record
a) A cellphone and company vehicle keys were taken at gunpoint in Van Zeeberg Street in Eldos ext. 6 in 2017.

b) JW team in 2017 was held at knifepoint at Cummings Road near the Eldorado Park stadium, tools and personal belongings were taken.

c) In 2018, tools and cell phones were taken from a team near the police station.

d) In 2018,our foreman for sewer was grabbed from behind while another thug took his cell phone and R50.00 in Van Zeeberg Street.

e) In 2018 a thug grabbed a bag which contained an identity document, wallet, cell phone and lunch box through a company vehicle window at Fuschia Road in Klipspruit West.

f) In 2018 our officer was held up at gunpoint, tools and a cell phone were taken.

g) November 2018, our Foreman parked his vehicle (a brand new Ford Ranger) on a street in Eldos ext. While he and his team were inspecting our sewer line some short distance away, his spare wheel was stolen.

h) July 2018, our team was held up at gunpoint and robbed of money and cell phones while working in Union Road in Eldos ext.

i) Again in December 2019, the JW team were held up at gunpoint in Eldos ext1, tools and cell phones were taken.

j) Early March 2019, while busy working in Merafe hostel our team was threatened with a fire arm.

k) 21 March 2019, team were held up at gunpoint at Ascot Street in Eldos ext 8, tools and cell phones were taken. The company vehicle window was also broken.

Johannesburg Water as the employer, we are really concerned about the safety of our employees and as such we appeal for all hands on deck to bring this unscrupulous behaviour to an end. Johannesburg Water is committed to provide a sustainable service to all residents of the City without fear of favour.

Ends

Issued by
Mr Isaac Dhludhlu
Communications Manager
011 688 1577/072 638 5346
isaac.dhludhlu@jwater.co.za

03 April 2019
Immediate Release

According to the National Treasury and as per the National Water Policy, Municipalities across the country are no longer providing free basic water to all residents, but only to registered indigent who qualify according to the means test, as such the City of Johannesburg is offering the Expanded Social Package (ESP) to qualifying vulnerable residents such as the unemployed, youth, people with disabilities, displaced persons and senior citizens.

In line with our commitment to care for the poorest members of our society, we will continue to provide free basic water to residents on the City’s indigent list. Depending on household income, our poorest residents will receive between 10
and 15 kilolitres of free water per household, per month and those qualifying are encouraged to register at their nearest City of Johannesburg offices across the seven regions.

Johannesburg Water as a municipal entity is required to implement the National Water Policy as such we have already started with the programme to remove the free basic water in household that are not part of the ESP program. At the same time Johannesburg Water will take this opportunity to upgrade these meters with the latest technology. Residents in the following areas are urged to allow officials from Service provider, access to their properties to do the necessary
work.

[table id=19 responsive=scroll/]

We plead with the residents of the City of Johannesburg to work together with JW teams and service providers by allowing our contractors into their homes to do the required work.

People with different levels of need will qualify for different levels of subsidy according to the City’s measure of affordability. For more information on who qualifies, how and where to apply residents can log onto www.johannesburgwater.co.za

Ends

Media enquiries:
Cllr Nico de Jager
MMC: Environment and Infrastructure Services Department
083 899 2127
NicoDe@joburg.org.za

Mr. Isaac Dhludhlu
Communications Manager
011 688 1577
072 638 5346
Isaac.Dhludhlu@jwater.co.za