Joburg’s water is coming back, but some areas will wait days longer

A mother and her children walk home after stocking up from the community-owned water tanker. Picture: Our City News Johannesburg Water says systems are recovering after Rand Water completed the first phase of its maintenance, but residents in parts of the city should brace for a further wait of up to five days before supply is fully restored. Rand Water has wrapped up the first phase of its scheduled maintenance, and Johannesburg Water systems are now on the path to full recovery.

However, Joburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala warned that the road back to normal is not instant for everyone. “Restoration of water supply in affected areas, such as parts of the Commando system, South Hills and Crown Gardens, is anticipated to take between three and five days,” Shabalala said. Meaningful progress has been recorded in South Hills, where pumping has resumed, and storage levels are steadily climbing.

Shabalala said supply has been restored across many parts of the area, though the recovery is not yet complete. “Some high-lying areas may continue to experience intermittent low pressure while the system stabilises,” Shabalala said. She added that overnight operational interventions remain in place to support the recovery process.

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Crown Gardens is showing similar momentum. Reservoir and tower levels are continuing to rise, driving the gradual return of supply across the network. “Overnight operational interventions remain in place to support recovery,” Shabalala said. Recovery in the Brixton, Crosby, and Hursthill areas – collectively served by the Commando system – remains the most constrained of the affected zones.

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