Johannesburg High Court: City's Poor Water Management Exposed

• Johannesburg residents have faced over 50 days without water this year due to poor management.
• The Commando water system has been particularly affected by mechanical and electrical disruptions.
• The Gauteng Water Security Dashboard reveals a staggering number of water pipe leaks in Johannesburg.
• Johannesburg Water has failed to proactively maintain its infrastructure, resulting in frequent pipe bursts and revenue loss.

You cannot build a functioning water system around people having to chase tankers,

Johannesburg residents have been facing frequent and prolonged water outages, with some areas experiencing more than 50 days without water this year. The Commando water system, which serves several suburbs, has been particularly affected by mechanical, electrical, and bulk-supply disruptions. Recent failures at the temporary Crosby Pump Station, including a City Power outage on August 11, have further disrupted recovery efforts. Johannesburg Water has stated that its main focus is restoring supply to Hursthill 2 and affected areas, with longer-term upgrades to the Commando system underway.

The Gauteng Water Security Dashboard reveals a staggering number of water pipe leaks in Johannesburg between June 2025 and June 2026, with an average of almost 140 leaks per day. The Auditor-General's office has noted that these figures may be higher due to weak performance reporting and unreliable system-generated information. Johannesburg Water was found to have failed to proactively maintain its infrastructure, resulting in frequent pipe bursts and deteriorating network reliability. This has led to a revenue loss of approximately R10.3-billion over four years.

The prolonged water outages have had severe consequences for residents, including property damage and health risks due to inadequate sanitation. The SA Human Rights Commission inquiry into the Gauteng water crisis highlighted a 'profound and systemic breakdown in governance' in Johannesburg. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of potential liability claims from affected residents, which may arise from the city's failure to provide adequate water services.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential liability claims from residents affected by the prolonged water outages, which may have resulted in property damage or health risks due to inadequate sanitation.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica SA