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Johannesburg Water proposes tighter level 1 water restrictions

Published

Johannesburg Water wants the new level 1 rules to cut current demand by about 15%. It says high demand stops reservoirs and towers from recovering, which causes low pressure and outages in several areas.

Johannesburg Water said excessive draw-off causes low pressure, intermittent supply and outages. It will consider level 2 restrictions if demand keeps rising. Areas named include Crosby, Brixton, Parktown, Berea, Soweto, Midrand and Randburg.

DA Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau blamed the government. He said: "This is not an agreement between parties. This is a failure by the government to supply adequate access to water," He also said Johannesburg's allocation from Rand Water should have been raised long ago.

Bittkau claimed Johannesburg Water loses 49.8% of its water to illegal connections, bypassed meters and pipe bursts. He said losses were 42.5% last year, and that the international accepted maximum is 19%.

The ANC in Greater Joburg questioned Rand Water's decision to restrict bulk supply to the city. The party said the move could deepen hardship for residents who already face unreliable water. Regional secretary Sasabona Manganye questioned the timing, close to the local government elections.

Key facts

Who
Nombuso Shabalala (Spokesperson, Johannesburg Water); Ralf Bittkau (DA Ward 101 councillor); Sasabona Manganye (ANC regional secretary, Greater Joburg); Johannesburg Water (city water entity)
What
Johannesburg Water warned that high demand and excessive draw-off are stopping reservoirs and towers from recovering, causing low pressure, intermittent supply and outages in several areas. It proposed tighter level 1 water restrictions, with level 2 to be considered if demand keeps rising. Political parties responded: the DA councillor blamed government failure and the ANC questioned Rand…
When
29 October 2026
Where
Johannesburg, Crosby, Brixton
Status
Reported

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