Erand Tower and Pumpstation project
Johannesburg Water condemns attacks on employees and vandalism of its infrastructure
13 May 2025
Customer Notice
Johannesburg Water condemns attacks on employees and vandalism of its infrastructure
Johannesburg Water strongly condemns any form of violent attacks shown to the Entity’s officials, as well as any acts of vandalism towards the City’s infrastructure, which is meant to service the residents and customers of the COJ.
Johannesburg Water has noted with concern the rising number of attacks on the Entity’s staff members while they are on official duty. This includes hijacking of official Johannesburg Water cars, robbing, threatening, and intimidating officials, which results in endangering their lives and hampering them from doing their duty.
One of these incidents includes a Johannesburg Water jetting truck that was set alight by protesting community members in Lenasia South, who also robbed the officials of their personal belongings, including cellphones and wallets. Jetting trucks are used to unblock sewer lines and stop spillages, which results in a safer and healthier environment for the public.
These kinds of acts are not only criminal behaviour which places officials’ lives at risk and is grounds for legal consequences, but also severely impedes service delivery and slows it down significantly.
These incidents are not uncommon, where City of Johannesburg officials and therefore the entity will not hesitate to engage the law enforcement agencies to take relevant action against wrongdoers.
Johannesburg Water would like to remind communities that the preservation and protection of the City’s assets, infrastructure and its employees and staff provides much-needed value to the residents of the City, and therefore, we all need to join the campaign to protect our resources by reporting illegal and criminal activities that undermine these resources.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
Johannesburg Water disconnects illegally connected hijacked buildings in inner-city operation
9 April 2025 – 15:00
Media Release
Johannesburg Water disconnects illegally connected, hijacked buildings in an inner-city operation
In a joint operation between the City of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Water, and City Power, the entities clamped down on illegal activities and bylaw infringement in Johannesburg CBD today.
Johannesburg Water and City Power officials disconnected illegally connected hijacked buildings as part of the bigger Inner-City Revitalisation Programme, which aims to tackle service delivery challenges and transform derelict and unsafe buildings.
“This follows President Ramaphosa’s recent visit to the City, where he noted the need to strengthen law enforcement and bring the City back to its world-class status,” says Nombuso Shabalala, Spokesperson for Johannesburg Water.
Officials from Johannesburg Water implemented Level 3 disconnections, which ensure that buildings cannot illegally reconnect until services are paid for.
“The lawlessness identified in the CBD includes illegal water and electricity connections, hence the need for a joint operation between Johannesburg Water and City Power, who were accompanied by members of the South African Police Service, Johannesburg Metro Police Department, and Gauteng Community Police Forum to assist with possible resistance from the community.”
Today’s operation is one of many that are planned by the City in the next coming months.
Ends
Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
Theft and vandalism of water infrastructure in Johannesburg is crippling effective service delivery
8 April 2025 – 15:00
Media Release
Theft and vandalism of water infrastructure in Johannesburg is crippling effective service delivery
Johannesburg Water is facing significant challenges due to the ongoing theft and vandalism of vital water infrastructure, which is severely hampering the delivery of essential services to communities. Critical assets like pipes, pumps, and manholes are frequently targeted, disrupting and hindering reliable water supply and sanitation services for residents and businesses.
“These acts of vandalism not only compromise service delivery but also pose a grave danger to public safety. Tragically, missing manhole covers have led to the loss of lives, with families mourning loved ones who have fallen victim to these hazards. This senseless destruction is costing both lives and livelihoods, and urgent action is required to address the issue,” says Mzakhe Mtshweni, Johannesburg Water’s General Manager: Operations.
Additionally, external factors such as consumer behaviour and social awareness play a significant role. For instance, public ignorance or misuse of infrastructure often leads to its abuse and vandalism, further impacting Johannesburg Water’s operations and finances. On average, the Entity spends about R20 000 per day on a jetting machine to clear a blocked sewer line where people have disposed of foreign objects in the system.
Nevertheless, mitigations are in place and some in the process of being implemented to prevent infrastructure theft and vandalism.
Johannesburg Water will enhance security measures at high-risk areas by implementing physical and electronic protection systems. These efforts include crime deterrence through improved lighting, real and dummy CCTV cameras, and collaboration with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department for rapid response.
In addition, the Entity will roll out smart manhole covers with sensors at strategic locations. These covers will be monitored 24/7, allowing for immediate response if tampered with, either preventing theft or enabling quick replacement.
“The ongoing theft and vandalism of Johannesburg’s water infrastructure is crippling service delivery and putting lives at risk. Johannesburg Water is tackling these issues by enhancing security, raising public awareness, and working with law enforcement. With investments in infrastructure upgrades and smart technologies, the Entity is focused on restoring reliable services and protecting its assets.
“However, lasting change will require collective action from both the community and authorities to prevent further damage and ensure the continued delivery of safe and sustainable water services,” concludes Mtshweni.
Ends
Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
REMINDER: Rand Water maintenance to impact some Johannesburg Water systems in April
1 April 2025 – 16:00
Customer Notice
REMINDER: Rand Water maintenance to impact some Johannesburg Water systems in April
Customers are reminded that Rand Water will be conducting two urgent maintenance operations on their infrastructure in April, which will impact some of Johannesburg Water’s systems.
The first maintenance operation will take place at their Zuikerbosch Treatment Plant this Thursday, 3 April 2025 and will affect the Palmiet Pumping Station. For 8.5 hours, the station will operate at 89% of its capacity.
The Palmiet System supplies water to Johannesburg Water’s Midrand systems (all reservoirs and towers), Sandton systems (all reservoirs and towers), the South Hills Tower, as well as the Alexander Park Reservoir.
The second disruption will occur next Wednesday, 9 April 2025, when Eskom conducts its three-yearly maintenance at the Daleside Substation.
The substation supplies power to Rand Water’s Daleside Pumping Station, which supplies some of Johannesburg Water’s Deep South systems, namely the Ennerdale, Orange Farm, and Lawley Reservoirs.
During this maintenance, there will be no pumping at Daleside for eight hours.
During both maintenances, customers will experience poor pressure to no water. This serves as an early reminder for consumers to plan storage of water close to the time of the maintenance, and to use alternative means like rainwater harvesting to store rainwater for non-consumption use.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.