WaterCAN is calling for urgent political and technical leadership to address Johannesburg's deteriorating water infrastructure, warning that widespread outages and water-quality concerns are undermining public confidence.
Disruptions have affected Nana's Farm, Lawley, Ivory Park and Crosby, while Bryanston, Morningside, Sunninghill, Woodmead and parts of Randburg and Northcliff have also reported interruptions.
Melville continues to experience pressure problems linked to the Hursthill system.
Rand Water has blamed excessive municipal consumption for pressure on its bulk-water network, while Johannesburg Water has introduced restrictions to protect depleted reservoirs.
WaterCAN's Citizen Science and Training Coordinator, Nomsa Daele, said residents were bearing the consequences of years of underinvestment.
"Various areas have been without water for more than a week, while informal settlements have gone several days without water being delivered to their community water tanks.
"Johannesburg's water problems did not develop overnight, and they will not be fixed overnight. For years, ageing infrastructure has deteriorated while the investment needed to replace it has fallen behind. Residents are now paying the price through unreliable supply, water losses and growing uncertainty about the safety of their drinking water," said Daele.
Johannesburg is also reportedly consuming approximately 1,801 million litres of water daily, exceeding its licensed allocation of 1,356 million litres and a temporarily increased limit of 1,528 million litres.
Daele said residents and businesses must reduce unnecessary consumption, but conservation alone could not replace investment in deteriorating infrastructure.
Daele said restoring Johannesburg's water infrastructure required political leadership, sustained investment and qualified technical management.
However, this would not be achieved without directing sufficient revenue towards maintenance, rehabilitation and infrastructure expansion.
The City began implementing revenue ring-fencing for Johannesburg Water on 1 July 2026 to reform its sweeping arrangement, under which revenue collected for the utility was transferred into municipal coffers. However, reports that the new arrangement has been paused raise questions about the funding available to address the city's water infrastructure challenges.
"We need clarity on ring-fencing and the sweeping account. The City must be open and transparent about how revenue intended for Johannesburg Water is managed. We cannot fix a broken system without investment," said Daele.
Water quality and public confidence
WaterCAN is also concerned about Johannesburg Water's precautionary warning issued on 22 October, advising residents in parts of Bezuidenhout Valley not to use tap water until laboratory tests confirmed it was safe.
The warning followed damage to a water pipeline at the corner of 6th Street and 8th Avenue during sewer replacement work. Johannesburg Water said repairs were completed on 21 October, with flushing and testing under way.
WaterCAN welcomed the precautionary warning and the provision of alternative supplies, while emphasising the importance of distinguishing between localised contamination risks and the safety of the wider drinking-water network.
"When something goes wrong, residents must be told immediately what has happened, which streets are affected, what precautions they must take and when the water will be safe again. Johannesburg Water was right to issue this warning, but it must follow through with transparent laboratory results and clear communication," Daele said.
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Across South Africa, WaterCAN’s volunteers and citizen scientists are monitoring drinking water and sanitation failures, uncovering risks, and demanding action from those responsible. We challenge polluters, call out government negligence, and stand with communities whose rights to safe water and sanitation are routinely violated. Your support keeps this watchdog work alive and powerful.
For media enquiries please contact WaterCAN Communications Manager on Jonathan Erasmus 073 227 6075 or email media@watercan.org.za
