Johannesburg is facing a severe water crisis, with 28 out of 61 reservoirs and towers now at critically low levels or completely without water. This alarming status was revealed by Johannesburg Water through a system status report released on Wednesday. The crisis currently impacts approximately 350 areas across the city, highlighting significant challenges facing the utility.
Joburg Water has indicated this dire situation is largely due to demand exceeding their available capacity. Adding to these woes, recent power failures at Emfuleni have disrupted pumping operations from Rand Water’s Forest Hill and Eikenhof systems. Such complications have strained the city's water systems, resulting in lower reservoir and tower levels, which translates to reduced water pressure and, for many areas, complete loss of supply.
According to the latest updates from the utility, it is evident the system's status is deteriorative, with analysis demonstrating 28 reservoirs marked as critically low (red), 24 at fair levels (yellow), and only 9 classified as stable (green). Particularly concerning are reservoirs like Zondi, Jabulani Tower, and Hursthill 1, which are currently on bypass.
Some of the other critically low reservoirs noted include Power Park, Protea Glen, and the Lenasia Cosmos Reservoir. Central and Soweto systems, along with reservoirs from the Randburg System, are similarly hard-hit, with residents facing serious water supply reductions.
Johannesburg remains under Level 1 water restrictions, and Joburg Water has scaled back water supply since November 8, 2024. They are urging all residents to minimize their water consumption to stabilize the system and mitigate the situation. Yet, the strain on residents continues as many have reported going days or even weeks without consistent water supply.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), the official opposition party, has voiced urgent concerns over the situation, characterizing it as worsening daily. Nico de Jager, the DA's Gauteng Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Development, noted, "The constant blame-shifting between Rand Water, Eskom, and City Power must end. What residents need is decisive action and proper contingency planning." He called the current political responses inadequate for the crisis at hand.
De Jager emphasized the necessity for comprehensive action, consolidatively addressing what he believes to be breakdowns and failures across service delivery. He stated, "Johannesburg’s water crisis has reached critically levels, with multiple reservoirs running dangerously low across the city." His statements reflect the heightened urgency and are seen as pivotal by many residents, who fear continued neglect will exacerbate living conditions.
Proposals from the DA to address these significant water supply concerns include three core initiatives: establishing independent power supplies at all major pump stations, upgrading the aging infrastructure with smart pressure management systems, and creating a rapid response maintenance unit equipped to tackle water infrastructure emergencies.
With pressing requests for the Gauteng provincial government to formally declare the crisis as such, the DA has also reached out to the Minister for Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson. They aim to seek inclusion of Gauteng municipalities within his infrastructure support program. De Jager pointed out: "The DA notes with concern the persistent resource cuts by Joburg Water, even as the situation worsens.”
This call for action extends beyond political posturing, as the partnership between various entities like Rand Water and City Power faces scrutiny. Proposals for reform stand as necessary for change, with De Jager's insistence on the establishment of reliable operations becoming more urgent day by day.
Johannesburg Water asserts its dedication to monitoring the developments of this disheartening scenario and pledges to continue providing updates as necessary. They stress the importance of public awareness and active participation to maintain the municipal services under strain. It remains to be seen how these calls for intervention are addressed, and whether they will lead to sustainable resolutions in the face of the province's worsening water crisis.