Johannesburg Water pleads with customers to be water ambassadors

by Teboho | Oct 24, 2024 | Media Statements 2024

24 October 2024 – 12:00

Media Statement

Johannesburg Water pleads with customers to be water ambassadors

As part of ongoing efforts to protect and conserve our precious water resources, Johannesburg Water is calling on its customers and the wider community to join forces in saving water and promoting sustainable water use.

With growing concerns over water scarcity, every drop counts, and we can all play a part in preserving this vital resource for future generations and avoid the possibility of a water crisis.

Due to high consumption, Johannesburg Water’s reservoirs and towers are on the verge of depletion with levels at historical lows. As responsible citizens it is more critical now than ever to adopt water-saving practices both in our homes and workplaces.

Johannesburg must strike a difficult balancing act to handle water consumption that is outpacing supply because of the uncertainty surrounding future trends in population expansion, water demand, infrastructure investment needs, and budget constraints. This trend places immense strain on our bulk water system and jeopardises the sustainability of our water supply.

The Entity is addressing more than just the issue of consumption. The unaccounted- for water lost through leaks is equally concerning. Better water demand management is required to address both excessive use and water losses.

Johannesburg Water has an ongoing Water Conservation and Water Demand Management (WCWDM) Programme that addresses the dire need for a continuous and sustainable water supply and to reduce strain on Johannesburg’s water supply networks.

The Entity’s WCWDM Programme includes a range of strategies that aim to reduce losses and decrease system input volume. Some of these programmes include repairs to identified leaking reservoirs, as well as retrofitting smart flow controllers on the outlets of 28 high-consumption reservoirs and towers to reduce water losses on the system. This will lead to improved and stable levels in these reservoir systems.

Johannesburg Water will reinstate and refurbish conventional pressure reducing valves (PRVs) that are currently not operational due to vandalism and technical faults. Smart pressure controllers will be installed on key network zonal PRVs in order to reduce bursts. All these interventions aim to reduce high pressures within the Entity’s system, thereby reducing minimum night flows and losses.

We urge all stakeholders to recognise the gravity of this situation and take immediate action to reduce water usage. Collective efforts are essential to safeguard our water resources for future generations.

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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.

Update: Westbury and Coronationville interventions

by Teboho | Oct 17, 2024 | Media Statements 2024

17 October 2024 – 13:45

Media Statement

Update: Westbury and Coronationville interventions

Johannesburg Water continues to engage with ward councillors of the Westbury and Coronationville communities, informing them of the ongoing projects to improve water supply in the areas. Recently (Friday, 11 October 2024), the Entity held an urgent meeting with local councillors to discuss the situation, ongoing infrastructure upgrades, as well as to seek their assistance in encouraging residents to reduce water consumption.

This will be done through the Commando System Project, which will boost water supply to the district. The Commando System consists of the Hursthill, Crosby, and Brixton Reservoirs, and the project, which is at around 55% completion, will be executed as a phased approach.

Phase 1 is the construction of the New Brixton Reservoir, Tower, and Pumpstation, which are currently in progress. This is at around 60% completion.
Phase 2 is 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. The contract is currently out on tender, which is closing at the end of October 2024. Construction is expected to commence in March 2025.

From today, Johannesburg Water teams will implement configurations to the Crosby Pump Station. The planned work forms part of phase one of the Commando System Project, and will take place from today, 17 October 2024 at 18:00 until Friday, 18 October 2024 at 02:00. A valve will be installed at the pump station during maintenance.

These are the Entity’s ongoing efforts to ensure consistent and long-term water supply through the upgrading of existing infrastructure, and the provision of new water infrastructure for additional capacity to support higher density settlements.

Affected areas: Hursthill, Crosby, Rossmore, Vrededorp, Vredepark, Bosmont, Croesus, Industria, Industria ext 1 – 3, Industria North, Industria North ext 1, Industria North, Industria West, Langlaagte, Langlaagte North and Longdale.

Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.