By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Johannesburg executive mayor Dada Morero promised urgent interventions on Monday as residents of the city continued to face prolonged water shortages.
Speaking at the Alexander Reservoir in Kensington, Morero said efforts were underway to stabilise supply levels that have left thousands without reliable access.
“The reservoir should at least comfortably be seated around 50%, which allows us to easily supply water to our residents,” he said.
“We are trying our level best to get it there, but it requires broader management of Johannesburg’s water system.”
The city has deployed water tankers to the affected areas and plans to increase the number from six to eight.
Morero said long-term projects were being implemented with Johannesburg Water to prevent recurring shortages.
He also urged residents to curb excessive harvesting and warned against illegal connections, which he said were worsening the crisis.
“It’s unacceptable, as it contributes to the challenges we are having,” he said.
The interventions follow weeks of protests in Westbury, Coronationville and Westdene, where residents barricaded roads in frustration over intermittent supply.
Morero has been meeting communities across the city, including Newlands last week, to reassure them that technical measures and tanker deployments are being expanded.
Johannesburg has been battling water supply issues for several interlinked reasons, according to civil society watchdog WaterCAN.
Ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure is a major culprit, with reservoirs leaking, pipes failing and many systems operating beyond their intended lifespan.
Non-revenue water (water lost before it reaches consumers because of leaks, theft, or billing inefficiencies) is estimated to be around 35 to 46% in recent reports, further undermining supply.
There are also frequent disruptions in bulk supply, often caused by failures at pump stations or interruptions in power supply, which compound the problem when demand is high.
Communication and planning from the city have been criticised as inadequate: many residents are unaware of why the supply is cut in their area, how long it will last, or when tanker relief will arrive.
Morero is expected to meet Joburg residents again on Friday.
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