Johannesburg is not at Day Zero – Water System Under Pressure but Stable
The City of Johannesburg notes the growing “Day Zero” narrative circulating in sections of the media and public discourse. We want to state clearly and unequivocally: Johannesburg is not at Day Zero. Day Zero refers to a complete system failure where water can no longer be supplied. Johannesburg continues to receive and distribute water across the city. However, the system remains under significant pressure due to high demand, infrastructure constraints, and ongoing supply challenges.
To intensify coordination and fast-track interventions, an Intergovernmental Water War Room has been established, bringing together the City of Johannesburg, Rand Water, Gauteng Provincial Government and national stakeholders. This structure is actively monitoring the system in real time, coordinating technical responses, accelerating repairs, and implementing demand-management measures to stabilise supply and protect critical infrastructure.
Current System Status
The Johannesburg Water Commando System is constrained, and some areas may experience low pressure to intermittent supply while technical interventions continue.
• Crosby Reservoir: Low but supplying — poor pressure to no water expected in some zones
• Brixton 1 Reservoir: Supplying fairly but low — poor pressure expected
• Brixton 1 Tower: Low but supplying — poor pressure to no water expected
• Brixton 2 Reservoir: Low but supplying — poor pressure expected
• Hursthill 1 & 2 Reservoirs: On bypass — poor pressure to no water expected in affected areas
These are localised system management measures, not a collapse of the network.
Planned Maintenance – Region B As part of long-term system stabilisation:
• Affected Areas: Melville, Emmarentia, Richmond, Greenside, Westdene, Westcliff, Auckland Park, Parktown West
• Reason: Structural repairs to a leaking reservoir
• Impact: Supply provided via bypass during the repair period
• Benefit: Improved service reliability, continuity of supply, and reduced water losses
• Duration: Ongoing until April 2026
Unplanned Maintenance – Region E Johannesburg Water teams are attending to a burst pipe on 1st Road, Linbro Park.
• Supply in the immediate area has been isolated to allow repairs
• Some residents may experience low pressure to no water during this period
• No estimated restoration time yet — updates will follow as repairs progress
Important Public Message
Localised interruptions and pressure management do not mean the system has failed. They are necessary steps to protect reservoirs and maintain a broader supply across the city.
Residents are strongly urged to reduce water consumption immediately and comply with current restrictions. Excessive use, especially during peak periods, places avoidable strain on the system and increases the risk of wider outages.
The City calls on all residents to partner with us:
• Save water to protect the system
• The situation will be stabilised
• The City is acting decisively
• Public behaviour matters
Panic and misinformation do not help, responsible water use does.
The City of Johannesburg will continue to provide regular, transparent updates as part of our commitment to keep residents informed and to counter misinformation.
Johannesburg Water is ready for the final phase of Rand Water maintenance
Johannesburg Water has confirmed its full operational readiness for the final phase of Rand Water’s scheduled maintenance programme, aimed at improving the reliability and sustainability of the bulk water supply system.
The third and final leg of Rand Water’s planned maintenance on their systems is scheduled to take place from 6 January 2026 at 04:00 until 8 January 2026at 08:00.
This last step of the maintenance forms part of Rand Water’s long-term infrastructure investment programme and is designed to strengthen system capacity, reduce unplanned outages, and enhance water security across Gauteng.
The Johannesburg Water systems expected to be impacted during this phase include:
Meadowlands Reservoir and Direct Feeds: Meadowlands (all zones & extensions), Tshepo Themba, Dube, Central Western Jabavu & Ext. 1, Mofolo Central & North, Orlando West, Zondi, and Mmesi Park.
Doornkop Reservoir and Direct Feeds: Dobsonville Gardens, Dobsonville (all extensions), Lufhereng (all extensions), Protea City, Protea Glen (all extensions), Thulani (all extensions), Doornkop(all extensions), Green Village, Slovoville (all extensions), Tshepisong(all extensions), and Leratong Village.
Bramfischerville Reservoir 1&2 and Direct Feeds: Braamfischerville (all extensions), Mmesi Park, Durban Deep, Sol Plaatjies, and Goudrand.
Due to the interconnected nature of the systems, a secondary impact may occur in the other neighbouring areas.
During maintenance, the volume of bulk water supplied to JohannesburgWater’s network will be significantly reduced. As a result, affected reservoirs will gradually deplete, and residents may experience low water pressure or no water.
Johannesburg Water has implemented comprehensive preparedness measures to minimise the impact of the maintenance on residents and businesses. “The City of Johannesburg, in collaboration with Johannesburg Water and RandWater, has implemented extensive operational and contingency plans to reduce the impact of this maintenance. Reservoir levels have been managed in advance, response teams are on standby, and alternative water will be supplied to affected communities through stationary and roaming tankers during both the maintenance and recovery periods. We assure residents that communication is a priority,” says City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Mr Dada Morero.
“The City and Johannesburg Water will provide regular updates through councillors, official platforms, and customer notices to ensure communities receive accurate and timely information. We acknowledge the inconvenience this maintenance will cause to households, businesses, and institutions across Johannesburg. However, this work is essential to safeguarding the City’s long-term water security. We will continue to work with Rand Water and key stakeholders to manage this maintenance, prioritising our residents’ interests.
” After maintenance ends and pumping resumes on 8 January 2026, JohannesburgWater’s infrastructure will require at least 3 – 5 days to fully recover. Although direct feeds are the first to lose water, they are, however, the first to recover when pumping resumes.
Ends
Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
Johannesburg Water, in partnership with Wits Enterprise, is proud to announce the launch of a pioneering pilot project aimed at improving access to reliable water supply in informal settlements through the use of underground water sources.
“This innovative project marks a significant step in addressing long-standing water supply challenges in underserved communities across the City of Johannesburg. By tapping into underground aquifers, Johannesburg Water aims to supplement existing water infrastructure and ensure that all residents — regardless of where they live — have consistent access to safe water,” said Johannesburg Water’s Managing Director, Ntshavheni Mukwevho.
The pilot phase, targeted at nine informal settlements across the Deep South (Region G), involves the drilling of boreholes and the creation of localised water distribution points. The goal is to test the viability, sustainability, and scalability of underground water as a complementary source to the city’s bulk water supply, particularly in areas with limited or no formal infrastructure. This project will be the first of its kind to improve water supply for informal settlements throughout the City of Johannesburg. Work has begun at the Water Works, Marikana, and Kokotela informal settlements; and next, the project will move to the Phumla Mqashi and Narens Farm informal settlements.
The Deep South is an area with a high volume of informal settlements and illegal water connections, which has put a strain on the Deep South systems due to the demand exceeding available supply/capacity.
“We are truly grateful to Johannesburg Water and all its partners for this project. We will ensure that we safeguard the project as water is life, and is also a scarce resource,” said Keletso Mbele, community leader for Water Works Informal Settlement.
Ends Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
Johannesburg Water strongly condemns the assault of one of its illegal connections investigators, who was attacked by a customer during the execution of his duties in Tulisa Park, Johannesburg South, on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.
The investigator was at the property to investigate a suspected illegal reconnection after the customer was disconnected by Credit Management Disconnection (Level 1). The Entity views any act of violence against our employees with the utmost seriousness and will not tolerate such behaviour under any circumstances.
The matter has been reported to law enforcement authorities, and we are cooperating fully to ensure that appropriate legal action is taken. We will also be providing the affected employee with the necessary support and counselling.
Our employees work diligently to provide essential water and sanitation services to the residents of Johannesburg. We urge residents and customers to please allow Johannesburg Water’s staff to carry out their responsibilities in a safe and respectful environment, free from threats, intimidation, or harm.
Johannesburg Water appeals to all customers to raise concerns or disputes through the proper channels and to treat our staff with the respect and dignity they deserve. Acts of violence undermine service delivery and will be met with the full extent of the law.
Ends Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
R800 million Investment Injected for Commando Systems
Johannesburg Water is injecting over R800 million for a sustainable solution into resolving and improving the Commando Systems’ challenges. The main challenge for the System is insufficient bulk infrastructure, that is, reservoirs, bulk lines and pump stations, making it enormously vulnerable to any disruptions.
The commando system supplies sizeable communities in the Brixton, Crosby and Hurst Hill 1 and Hurst Hill 2 supply zones including, Mayfair, Coronationville, Westdene, Westbury, some parts of Ackland Park, Langlaagte North, Pageview, Vrededorp, Sophiatown, Claremont, Braamfontein, Melville, and Emmarentia amongst others. The Entity is on track to complete and commission the new Brixton reservoir (26 Ml) and tower (2.2Ml) by end of October 2025. We are further installing a new bulk line (4.5 km of diameter ranging from 600mm to 1000mm) and 2 new pump stations planned to be completed in December 2026.
Johannesburg Water has since appointed a contractor to refurbish the Hurst Hill 2 reservoir, the contractor will complete the assignment in May 2026. A contractor to refurbish Hurst Hill 1 reservoir (currently on bypass as it is leaking), will be appointed in November 2025 with the completion date planned for October 2026. It is important to state that recovery of the Commando System takes longer after any disruption because of the insufficient bulk infrastructure and that the R800 million investment will alleviate the systems’ sensitivity to interruptions. These projects are but part of the broader Johannesburg Water’s ten-year R32.5 billion capital investment to maintain, refurbish and expand City of Johannesburg’s water and sanitation infrastructure. In the current financial year, Johannesburg Water will spend some R1.7 billion towards water and sanitation infrastructure projects. Furthermore, the Entity will continue with its water conservation and water demand management interventions to reduce the overall demand and wastage. We plead with residents to continue to observe Level 1 water restrictions and use water responsibly. Ends Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
