by l3rato | May 16, 2024 | Media Statement, Media Statements 2024
16 May 2024
Media Release
Johannesburg Water’s new Brixton reservoir and tower and Crosby pump station construction project to boost water supply
Johannesburg Water hosted a media tour of the Entity’s construction of the new Brixton reservoir and tower and Crosby pump station project on Wednesday, 15 May 2024.
This was an opportunity to show the media the two new infrastructure projects which will boost water storage capacity for the Commando System (which comprises the Brixton, Crosby, and Hursthill complexes), as well as improve supply to the feeder zones.
The Commando System is always the hardest hit by water shortages because of the City of Johannesburg’s growing population, ageing infrastructure, and various other factors.
The project is part of Johannesburg Water’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.
The Commando System supplies water to parts of Region B (including Northcliff, Melville, Auckland Park, Bordeux and Bryanston extensions, and Region F (including Johannesburg CBD, City Deep, Robertsham, Linmeyer, Forsdburg, Kibler Park, Mulbarton, and the universities of Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand).
• Full list of Region B suburbs.
• Full list of Region F suburbs.
Brixton reservoir and tower and planned Crosby bulk infrastructure project
One of the focus areas in 2023/24 includes the Perth Empire water upgrades which focus on upgrades within the Brixton/Hursthill water supply zone, including the construction of a new Crosby pump station, which will begin later this year. Meanwhile, construction of the new 26 megalitre (Ml) Brixton reservoir and the new 2.2Ml Brixton tower began in July 2023.
The existing infrastructure was constructed in 1917 and has exceeded its useful lifespan. Due to the planned densification resulting from the growing student commune population, the Brixton/Hursthill area is experiencing water shortages. These are affecting critical institutions like the Helen Joseph and Rahima Moosa hospitals and thus additional water capacity is required.
The supply system will be efficient upon completion of the multi-year programme which necessitates:
• Construction of the new 26 Ml Brixton reservoir, 2.2Ml tower and a pump station able to deliver at least 400 litres per second (l/s) at 35m head.
• The new pumpstation located at the Crosby Reservoir complex, will deliver at least 200l/s to improve supply to the existing Hursthill 1 and 2 reservoirs.
• Construction of a new 600mm diameter rising mains from the Crosby reservoir to the Hursthill.
• Overhaul of the Crosby Pump station.
• Construction of 3300m,1000mm diameter steel of pipeline from Rand Water connection to the Crosby reservoir.
Click here for images.
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Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by l3rato | Apr 24, 2024 | Media Statements 2024
24 April 2024
Media Release
Johannesburg Water upgrades nearly 50 000m of water and sewer pipes
Ensuring the reliability and efficiency of water and sewer systems is paramount to sustaining the City of Johannesburg’s growth and development.
Amidst the challenges posed by ageing infrastructure, Johannesburg Water’s Pipe Replacement Programme stands as a beacon of progress and determination to improve service delivery by addressing the challenge of continuous and uninterrupted water supply, and ensuring the residents of Johannesburg are afforded the dignity and hygiene that goes hand in hand with sanitation services.
While the task at hand is undeniably daunting, recent achievements underscore the Pipe Replacement Programme’s efficacy and impact. In the last financial year (2022/23) Johannesburg Water replaced 19km of water infrastructure and an impressive 28km of sewer pipes across all regions. Surpassing its target of replacing 16km of sewer pipes, this demonstrates Johannesburg Water’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure needs and ensuring the continued delivery of essential services to residents.
The significance of these accomplishments cannot be overstated, especially in light of the challenges posed by ageing infrastructure and existing infrastructure renewal backlogs due to budget constraints; and without proactive intervention, the risk of service disruptions and physical losses looms large. As such, the Pipe Replacement Programme serves as a proactive and positive measure to mitigate these risks, safeguarding the integrity and functionality of essential water and sewer systems. By investing in pipeline replacement, Johannesburg Water can both enhance infrastructure performance as well as minimise physical losses and ensure the long-term sustainability of vital services.
With continued investment and commitment, Johannesburg can pave the way for a sustainable future where water and sewer systems remain reliable, efficient, and accessible to all.
Ends
Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by l3rato | Jan 19, 2024 | Media Statement, Media Statements 2024
by l3rato | Dec 8, 2023 | 2023
8 December 2023
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water outperforms Gauteng municipalities in the 2023 Blue Drop Report
Johannesburg Water has achieved the number one spot in Gauteng in supplying the best drinking water quality in the province. Johannesburg Water also rated in the top three best-performing water service institutions on the drinking water quality supply nationally.
The 2023 Blue Drop Report showed that Johannesburg Water achieved a 98.10% score, an improvement from the 96.06% score achieved in 2014. The required minimum score to achieve the Blue Drop certification status is ≥95%, which is a score considered excellent.
The Blue Drop process measures and compares the results of the performance of water service institutions.
“As Johannesburg Water, we continuously strive to provide water of the highest quality to the City’s millions of residents and customers. Through our testing laboratories, we pride ourselves in being the best water service authority in Gauteng, while ensuring that the water coming out of Johannesburg’s taps is clean, safe, and healthy to consume,” says Johannesburg Water’s Acting Chief Operations Officer, Jones Mnisi.
Johannesburg Water will continue with the service of ensuring that its residents receive excellent drinking water and prepare for the next Blue Drop audit process, which will be conducted in 2025.
The national department relaunched the Blue Drop certification programme in 2021. The incentive-based regulation is an innovative and uniquely South African response to challenges in the water sector. The Blue Drop certification mainly addresses Drinking Water Quality Management Regulation.
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Issued by Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
by l3rato | Nov 9, 2023 | 2023, Media Statement
9 November 2023 – 11:00
Media Statement
Johannesburg Water systems improving and moving in an upward trajectory
Johannesburg Water’s reservoirs and towers continue showing steady improvement. As at this morning, Thursday 9 November, the Entity’s systems had shown notable improvement over the last two weeks.
This follows weeks of water supply interruptions experienced in various areas across the City of Johannesburg.
This is the result of a combination of factors, including Johannesburg Water’s mitigation strategies to boost supply and improved bulk supply from Rand Water. The mitigation interventions include throttling (reducing pressure and flow) the outlets of critical reservoirs to 90% overnight, and sometimes completely closing some systems where necessary, to help build capacity for the following day.
Since the beginning of this week the following systems, which had been severely impacted, are performing at satisfactory levels:
• The South Hills tower started the week at 65% and was sitting at 80% for two consecutive mornings.
• The Brixton tower (Commando system) started the week off at 88% on Monday and has been full for the last two days.
• The Hursthill 1 reservoir (Commando system) began the week at 40% capacity and by Thursday morning, was sitting at 60%.
Johannesburg Water continues to monitor all systems and implement daily mitigation strategies to help boost supply. The Entity thanks residents who are observing Level-1 water restrictions and customers are urged to continue using water sparingly.
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Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing.
by l3rato | Nov 8, 2023 | 2023, Media Statement
8 November 2023 – 09:30
Media Advisory
Johannesburg Water to roll out prepaid smart meter project to Orange Farm & parts of Soweto
Following the switching from open mode to prepaid smart meters in Cosmo City from 1 November, the rolling out is now extending to other areas. These include, Diepkloof, Orlando East and West, as well as Orange Farm.
The rollout will take place as follows:
Orlando East – 13 November 2023
Orlando West – 15 November 2023
Diepkloof – 27 November 2023
Orange Farm – 28 November 2023
Johannesburg Water is currently conducting consultation processes with ward councillors and the community to educate residents on various issues, including the benefits of the new prepaid smart meters, where and how to purchase water, the importance of paying for services, as well as the Expanded Social Package (ESP).
As such, Johannesburg Water is urging the residents of Orlando East and West, Diepkloof, and Orange Farm to ensure that they all have a Customer Interface Unit (CIU). CIUs are display units that are installed inside houses and linked to prepaid water meters and are crucial for loading units when purchasing water credits.
If customers have never received a CIU, or have lost a CIU, they can visit their nearest City of Johannesburg Customer Service Centre, where they will need to provide the following information: the property owner’s name and surname, physical address of the property, meter number and related contact details. The cost for replacing a lost CIU is R680. The refusal of switching to prepaid smart meters will lead to Level 3 water cuts, and residents will then have to pay to be reconnected.
• Customer service centres for Soweto residents.
• Customer service centres for Orange Farm residents.
• Read frequently asked questions on the STS Meter Project.
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Issued by: Johannesburg Water Communication and Marketing
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