Water challenges faced by Gauteng residents: DWS, Rand Water & CoJ; with Ministry

Video The Portfolio Committee held an urgent meeting with the Department of Water and Sanitation, Rand Water and Johannesburg Water, to address the escalating water crisis in Johannesburg. The Chairperson opened the session by highlighting the urgency of the situation, and encouraging concise, solution-driven contributions. The Minister of Water and Sanitation outlined the drivers of the crisis, including ageing infrastructure, climate variability, high water demand, and significant non-revenue water losses. She stressed the importance of coordinated interventions across all spheres of government and investment in both bulk and municipal distribution systems. Presentations from the Department, Rand Water, and Johannesburg Water revealed the scale of the challenges. The Department pointed out that water demand often exceeded supply, leaving the system vulnerable to disruptions, while Rand Water confirmed Johannesburg was abstracting above its allocation. Johannesburg Water reported nearly 45% of non-revenue water, a R27 billion infrastructure backlog, and delays in projects due to funds being swept from its accounts, which prevented contractor payments. Committee Members expressed concern about weak financial management, poor communication with communities, slow infrastructure renewal, and the City's reliance on water tankers. Johannesburg's executive Mayor emphasised that Johannesburg Water remained financially viable but constrained by centralised municipal funding. He highlighted ongoing interventions such as pipe replacements, reservoir refurbishments, and tanker procurement, while Johannesburg Water confirmed progress in reducing demand and rolling out its turnaround strategy. The Committee insisted on urgent attention to unpaid contractors, ring-fencing of water revenues, and stronger communication with residents. It instructed the City and Johannesburg Water to submit within 14 days key documents and a detailed contractor payment schedule, reaffirming its commitment to ongoing oversight to safeguard residents’ constitutional right to water.