by Teboho | Mar 28, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
Media Statement
For Immediate Release
Date: 10 February 2026
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.
Vikela Amanzi. Protect Our Tomorrow.
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Issued by the City of Johannesburg
For all media enquiries, email: mediaqueries@joburg.org.za
by Teboho | Jan 5, 2026 | Media Statements 2026
5 January 2026 – 15:00
Media Statement
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.
- Roodepoort Deep: Hamberg, Rand Leases (all extensions), Discovery Ext. 9, Georginia, Roodepoort, and Creswell Park.
- Fleurhof Reservoir: Lea Glen, Fleurhof (all extensions).
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.
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Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
by Teboho | Mar 19, 2025 | Media Statements 2026
19 March 2025 – 13:00
Media Release
Johannesburg Water’s Pressure Reducing Valve Programme aims to alleviate strain on the City’s network
To effectively manage water demand and minimise losses while ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply, one of Johannesburg Water’s key initiatives is the Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) Programme.
This programme, part of Johannesburg Water’s ongoing Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Programme (WCWDM), is designed to alleviate strain on the city’s water supply networks. A critical component of this effort is the maintenance and management of PRVs.
This initiative focuses on reinstating and refurbishing conventional pressure-reducing valves that are currently non-operational due to vandalism and technical faults.
“Additionally, the organisation plans to install smart pressure controllers on key network zonal PRVs. These controllers will help manage pressure more effectively, reducing the incidence of bursts and leaks. Together, these interventions aim to lower high pressures in the system, ultimately decreasing minimum night flows and water losses,” explains Logan Munsamy, senior manager for WCWDM and Technical Metering.
Johannesburg Water aims to reduce water demand by 37,123 million litres per annum through these technical interventions, complemented by its water conservation initiatives.
“PRVs are essential components of the water supply system. Installed inline within pipelines, they regulate downstream pressure to ensure a consistent water supply over long distances, even through pipes of varying diameters. Proper pressure management not only ensures efficient distribution but also helps reduce physical losses, especially in older infrastructure. Therefore, maintaining PRVs is a critical focus area.”
Each region in Johannesburg Water’s Networks Department conducts PRV maintenance with a dedicated special services team, led by an operations manager and skilled artisan fitters, responsible for both reactive and preventative maintenance of PRVs. Given the valuable materials used in PRVs, such as brass and copper, securing these components is vital to prevent theft and vandalism.
Johannesburg Water currently operates a total of 730 PRVs within the network. However, some of these valves are bypassed due to vandalism or require some maintenance and repairs. To address this, the company has established a framework contract to procure spare parts, enabling its teams to repair and reinstate PRVs more efficiently.
Through the PRV Programme and other initiatives, Johannesburg Water is dedicated to enhancing water management, minimising losses, and providing a reliable water supply for all residents.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
