City of Johannesburg to Reduce Water Pressure from 9pm to 4am to Address Severe Water Shortages
The City of Johannesburg will impose daily water restrictions to curb consumption as part of a strategy to address the ongoing water crisis affecting the region. Starting Thursday, November 14, residents will experience reduced water pressure between 9pm and 4am, a significant measure announced by Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina. These nightly restrictions aim to allow city reservoirs to replenish and stabilize water supply levels.
Majodina outlined the urgency of the situation at a recent press briefing, explaining that this nightly throttling is essential to enable reservoirs to recover overnight, ensuring a more consistent water supply throughout the day. In addition, the city is upgrading its infrastructure with advanced pressure management systems, including the installation of 45 new smart pressure controllers and refurbishing 15 previously existing ones. These adjustments are expected to help reduce water loss at night when demand is lower.
Challenges Behind Joburg’s Water Crisis
Johannesburg’s water crisis stems from a combination of issues, including infrastructure neglect, illegal water connections, and frequent pipe leaks. According to Rand Water board chairperson Ramateu Monyokolo, all residents of Johannesburg are likely to feel the effects of these nightly water restrictions, although city officials will monitor the impact and adjust if necessary.
City mayor Dada Morero also highlighted that Johannesburg loses around 40% of its water supply due to infrastructure issues and illegal water connections, significantly affecting the city’s capacity to maintain adequate supply levels.
“It’s not easy to quantify exactly … but it’s around 40%, which is the biggest concern because it means while we buy from Rand Water we lose about 40%,” said Morero.
Infrastructure Developments and Long-Term Solutions
In an effort to address these losses, the city has committed to repairing and refurbishing 11 of its reservoirs to improve distribution and reduce water loss. Additionally, to combat theft and leaks, officials are intensifying their efforts to cut illegal connections and expedite maintenance work.
Majodina clarified that the current crisis isn’t caused by drought; rather, it’s rooted in a high demand-supply imbalance. Johannesburg’s supply system is under extreme stress due to peak demand, electro-mechanical breakdowns, and spikes in water usage triggered by heatwaves. Rand Water is already operating at capacity, and further expansion won’t be possible until the completion of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project’s second phase in 2028.
Impact on Key Institutions
The water supply crisis has extended to major institutions, including the Constitutional Court, which recently had to halt proceedings due to an outage. Leaks in the court’s system, combined with broader supply issues, led to the disruption, but repairs have since been completed by a plumber assigned by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
As Johannesburg residents brace for these new measures, officials urge conservation efforts, emphasizing that these steps are necessary to secure a more sustainable water supply in the coming months. The City of Johannesburg continues to work closely with Rand Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation to address the crisis and prevent further disruptions.
Also read: Joburg High-Usage Areas Face New Water Reduction Measures Amid Ongoing Restrictions
