Joburg Water announces R4 billion investment into water management strategy

Johannesburg Water has announced plans to invest R4 billion into its water demand management strategy, with 64% of the funds earmarked for the first four years.

The utility briefed the media on Friday on its investment plans and the current state of water supply in the city, which continues to face prolonged outages and growing resident frustration.

Johannesburg Water is grappling with an infrastructure backlog estimated at R12.3 billion. For the 2025/26 financial year, it has allocated a capital budget of R1.7 billion — a significant increase from the R1.29 billion set aside in the previous financial year.

The 10-year investment strategy proritises infrastructure upgrades and renewals, which will account for the 33% of the spend, while 30% will go toward improvements at treatment plants.

Johannesburg Water Board Chairperson, Dineo Majavu, stressed that protecting water infrastructure is a shared responsibility.

Meanwhile, the city’s MMC for Infrastructure and Environment, Jack Sekwaila, stated that Johannesburg Water’s technical teams are rolling out interventions to gradually stabilize supply and improve system efficiency.

MMC Jack Sekwaila, added that the municipality is not to blame for the lack of water in some areas.

The utility also revealed plans to channel over R600 million specifically into the Commando system, which supplies areas including Brixton, Coronationville, Auckland Park, Westdene, and Melville. The system has been deemed to be in a critical condition.

Managing Director, Ntshavheni Mukwevho, warned that when upstream reservoir levels drop below 40%, the Commando system struggles to pump water, leaving taps dry in many parts of the city.

He stressed that improving the bulk water infrastructure of this system is a top priority.

Mukwevho gave the assurance that there’s no Day Zero looming for the water supply in the city. However, has urged residents to use water sparingly.

No Day Zero looming for Joburg #JoburgUpdates #JoburgWater #CommandoSystem ^N pic.twitter.com/fhiI8t0eWs

— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) September 5, 2025

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe