UPDATE: Midrand water crisis nears end as Joburg Water promises restoration within 48 hours
The issue of water supply remains critical for Johannesburg residents.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers
After nearly a week of dry taps, Midrand residents may finally see relief, with Johannesburg Water saying water supply is expected to be restored within the next 24 to 48 hours, despite ongoing system strain following planned maintenance by Rand Water.
Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said recovery efforts were progressing, although Midrand remained the hardest-hit area in the city.
“So we are on day four, and yesterday we did, the city manager did announce that within 24 to 48 hours more and more of our residents in the Midrand area should be receiving our water supply,” Shabalala said in an interview with the SABC.
Parts of Johannesburg have already recovered, she said, but Midrand’s size and infrastructure complexity continue to slow the process.
She explained that the reason the Midrand area is still recovering is due to its vastness and the complexity of the system.
“So in terms of the recovery of the areas, our Sandton, South Hills, Parktown and Linksfield systems have recovered except Midrand,” she said.
Residents across Midrand say five days without water have stretched households to breaking point.
Families have struggled to cook, bath, flush toilets and maintain basic hygiene, while small businesses report disruptions.
Families have struggled to cook, bath, flush toilets and maintain basic hygiene, while small businesses report disruptions.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Many residents have voiced anger over what they describe as poor planning and inadequate communication from Johannesburg Water.
While some areas have begun to see water return, supply remains uneven.
“However, there are reports that some parts of the area are now receiving water supply, although some still with low water pressure.”
In a statement, Johannesburg Water said the Midrand supply system remained under severe strain as recovery continues after Rand Water’s planned maintenance on the Palmiet Systems.
“Reservoir and tower levels in several areas remain critically low to empty, which may result in intermittent supply, low pressure, or no water. Full stabilisation requires time for reservoirs to recharge and for the systems to rebalance,” the utility said.
Johannesburg's water crisis deepens as residents face daily struggles
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
“While limited recovery is being observed at some reservoirs, several towers remain empty or on bypass, with pumps temporarily switched off in certain systems to support reservoir recovery and stabilisation.”
The entity warned that pumping cannot resume until safe threshold levels are reached, as operating below these levels risks damaging infrastructure and prolonging outages.
Alternative water supply through stationary tanks and roaming water trucks remains in place, with additional trucks deployed across Midrand and Diepsloot as residents wait for full restoration.
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