Johannesburg: City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has moved to assure residents that the municipality is hard at work to resolve water supply challenges. The Mayor briefed the media on Tuesday at the New Brixton Reservoir in the city, addressing the ongoing water issues affecting several areas over the past few weeks.
According to South African Government News Agency, Mayor Morero emphasized the city's decisive action to stabilize the water supply network and reduce consumption through a comprehensive, multifaceted Water Demand Management programme. This initiative involves coordinated efforts among the city, Johannesburg Water, Rand Water, and key stakeholders to address both immediate and long-term water security challenges.
The programme features detailed assessments of water usage patterns, targeted interventions in high-risk areas, and the deployment of cutting-edge technologies to monitor and optimize the entire supply system. The Mayor noted that Johannesburg is one of Rand Water's largest consumers of bulk water, necessitating reductions in usage to meet critical targets.
Morero outlined the administration's urgent practical interventions, which include real-time monitoring of consumption at district and household levels, partnerships with businesses for water-saving initiatives, and public awareness campaigns. These efforts aim to protect supply, comply with regulatory obligations, and build long-term resilience within the municipal water system.
Immediate measures underway involve night-time throttling to reduce losses, strategic bulk meter restrictions in high-consumption zones, intensified pressure management, and advanced leak detection technologies. Additionally, rapid response repairs are being executed on leaks, and problem areas are being identified more quickly with the help of local ward committees.
The Mayor highlighted that communities in areas such as Melville, Westdene, and Parktown West have experienced water disruptions due to constraints within the Commando system and ongoing commissioning work. Technical teams are addressing these issues by flushing networks, securing alternative supply via water tankers, and maintaining open communication with local councillors.
Furthermore, the city is investing in infrastructure upgrades in the Brixton, Crosby, and Hursthill supply districts. These upgrades include constructing new reservoirs, installing modern pump stations, and refurbishing aging infrastructure, expected to improve capacity and resilience significantly.
Morero called on residents to reduce water usage and report leaks promptly. He reassured the community that every effort is being made to stabilize the network swiftly and encouraged adherence to water-saving measures during this period. The city remains committed to providing timely updates as projects advance.