Johannesburg Water
By Mpho Moloi
The City of Johannesburg is in the midst of a critical water crisis, with residents experiencing frequent supply interruptions due to escalating demand and infrastructure challenges. On 10 November 2024, an urgent meeting convened by Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina brought together key figures from the Gauteng government, Rand Water, and Johannesburg city officials. This meeting aimed to address the crisis head-on and implement comprehensive measures to stabilise water supply for Johannesburg’s residents and businesses.
Johannesburg’s Water Supply Structure and Challenges
Johannesburg Water, the city’s municipal water service provider, sources its treated water from Rand Water, which buys raw water from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). This water is drawn from the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), a network of 19 interconnected dams, including the Vaal Dam and dams in Lesotho, like the Katse and Mohale dams. Rand Water treats this raw water to meet drinking quality standards before distributing it to Johannesburg’s municipal reservoirs, from which it flows to homes, businesses, and industries.
However, the growing population and economic development in Johannesburg have intensified water demand. DWS has capped Rand Water’s annual extraction limit from the IVRS at 1,802 million cubic metres to preserve the system’s sustainability. This limit is in place to ensure that the water supply remains reliable even during periods of drought. However, Johannesburg’s rapid expansion means that current supply levels often fall short, especially during heatwaves or when there are mechanical breakdowns in the water system.
Addressing Supply Limits with the Lesotho Highlands Water Project
Recognising the long-term demand for water in Gauteng, the DWS initiated the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) in the 1980s. The first phase, completed in 2003, delivers 780 million cubic metres of water annually to the IVRS. The second phase, currently underway and scheduled for completion in 2028, will add another 490 million cubic metres each year, which will help address Johannesburg’s mounting water requirements.
In anticipation of this additional supply, Rand Water has embarked on a R35 billion capital works programme to enhance storage and treatment capacity over five years. This includes expanding the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant’s capacity by 150 million litres per day, with further upgrades set to increase it by an additional 450 million litres per day by 2028. However, until the LHWP’s second phase becomes operational, Rand Water cannot increase its supply to Johannesburg.
Key Factors Behind Water Shortages
At the core of Johannesburg’s water shortages is the tight demand-supply balance. During peak periods, demand often matches or exceeds the available supply from Rand Water. This situation makes the system highly sensitive to disruptions, which can be triggered by breakdowns or unexpected surges in demand due to extreme heat.
Adding to the strain is Johannesburg’s significant water loss rate. The 2023 No Drop report found that the city loses 35% of its water through leaks and other inefficiencies, more than double the international standard of 15%. These losses stem from aging infrastructure, unmonitored usage, and illegal connections, which undermine the city’s capacity to meet its water needs.
New Measures to Combat the Water Crisis
To address these challenges, Johannesburg Water has announced several key initiatives:
1. Nightly Throttling of Water Supply: Starting 14 November, the city will throttle water flow between 9 pm and 4 am to allow reservoirs to recover. This measure will continue until the water system is deemed stable.
2. Enhanced Repair Teams: The city will expand emergency repair crews for large-diameter pipe leaks, with additional teams on standby throughout the week. This aims to reduce repair times for leaks and burst pipes from 48 hours to 24 hours.
3. Increased Resources for Maintenance: Johannesburg Water is adding more trucks and maintenance teams to support these efforts, especially on weekends.
4. Addressing Illegal Connections: The city will intensify efforts to cut off illegal water connections, particularly in high-impact informal settlements.
5. Advanced Pressure Management: To curb nighttime water losses, Johannesburg Water will install 45 Smart Pressure Controllers, adding to the 15 that have already been refurbished and retrofitted.
6. Accelerated Leak Detection: To date, over 12,100 km of water pipelines have been surveyed, identifying thousands of leaks and burst pipes. Repairs are estimated to save the city 9,457 million litres annually.
7. Public-Private Partnership for Non-Revenue Water: Johannesburg Water is working with National Treasury to establish a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) focused on reducing non-revenue water, aiming to mobilise private sector expertise and funding.
Government Backing for Johannesburg Water’s Turnaround Strategy
The Johannesburg City Council has endorsed a turnaround strategy for Johannesburg Water, which includes ring-fencing water revenue for water-related functions and establishing single-point accountability. This strategy seeks to streamline management and ensure that Johannesburg Water can be held accountable for water supply issues.
While the completion of the LHWP’s second phase will relieve some pressure, Gauteng’s water consumption will need careful management to remain sustainable. Gauteng residents currently consume an average of 279 litres of water per person daily, 60% higher than the global average of 173 litres. With South Africa being one of the top 30 driest countries in the world, this consumption level is unsustainable.
Large-Scale Public Awareness Campaign
In response, DWS, Rand Water, and provincial authorities are collaborating with civil society and business leaders to launch a comprehensive water-saving campaign. An independent body, the Platform for a Water Secure Gauteng, has been established to manage this initiative. The campaign will leverage a new DWS website dashboard to keep the public informed about Gauteng’s water supply status and encourage conservation.
Recent Developments in Johannesburg’s Water Crisis
Johannesburg’s residents have already felt the effects of water-saving measures. Johannesburg Water recently announced nightly throttling to stabilise reservoir levels. Minister Majodina assured residents that while the water levels in the IVRS remain secure, these precautionary steps are crucial to ensure continuous supply.
With water refill stations emerging as an alternative source for some residents, the South African National Bottled Water Association has cautioned consumers to ensure water quality. They urge vigilance as some refill stations may not meet necessary health standards.
Political Reactions and Call for Action
The Democratic Alliance has called for urgent action to address Johannesburg’s water crisis, pointing to infrastructure maintenance issues as a contributing factor. They have urged the government to accelerate repairs, address illegal connections, and bolster water conservation efforts across Gauteng.
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