Joburg’s water is drinkable

“The contract for the supply, delivery and installation of advanced pressure management devices is at final procurement stage and will be used for the 37 new installations and well as to refurbish existing installations,” explains Kgwale. An expected saving of 5 918 Mℓ/annum will be realised through these pressure management initiatives.

Urban migration and informal settlements

Added to Johannesburg Water’s difficulties are illegal water connections, theft, vandalism and the increase in the number of informal settlements in the city 179 (2012) to 312 (2022). “These informal settlements must have water and sanitation services. We need to deal with urban migration. And we all need to work together to ensure this city’s water security,” concludes Kgwale.

The first batch of testing was conducted in Cosmo City, Chartwell, Diepsloot, Morningside, Linbro Park, Lindhurst, Linksfield, Greenside, Linden, Bromhof and Ruimsig, with findings revealing that the water is clean.

“We have received several complaints and concerns about the quality of drinking water and people getting sick in the City of Johannesburg, and we felt that, as WaterCAN, we need to test the water and see the results for ourselves,” says Julius Kleynhans, executive manager: Social Innovation.

“It is important to note that the water tests proved the water was clean on the date of consumption. We encourage local community organisations such as ratepayers’ organisations to participate in this process in order to maintain monthly water testing to ensure safe access to clean drinking water to their residents,” Kleynhans adds.

Sludge pumps