Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero says the city is prioritising the overhaul of its crumbling water and sewer infrastructure, committing to replace more than 150 kilometres of old and damaged pipes as part of a broader modernisation drive.
Speaking at the launch of his CEO Clean-Up Campaign on Wednesday, Morero acknowledged that failing infrastructure has become one of Johannesburg’s most pressing crises — contributing to frequent water outages, burst pipes, and sewage spills across multiple suburbs.
“We are making a commitment as the City of Johannesburg to ensure that we deal with infrastructure refurbishments,” Morero said. “The water and sewer infrastructure is high on our list. There are 150 kilometres of pipes in the city that have to be replaced.”
For years, residents have voiced frustration over repeated water cuts and aging underground networks that date back decades. Joburg Water has confirmed that many of the city’s mains are beyond their intended lifespan, resulting in a growing backlog of maintenance and emergency repairs.
Morero’s administration says the modernisation project will form part of a larger infrastructure renewal plan aimed at improving service delivery and stabilising supply systems before the city’s population growth worsens the strain on utilities.
City officials are also exploring smart technology and leak detection systems to reduce water losses, which have cost Johannesburg millions in unaccounted-for consumption.
The mayor’s remarks come as Johannesburg prepares to host global leaders for the G20 Urban Forum, where the city’s infrastructure readiness is under close scrutiny.
Residents have welcomed Morero’s renewed focus but remain cautious, saying the city’s track record on infrastructure promises has often fallen short.
“We’ve heard these commitments before,” said a Brixton resident. “We just want to see results this time — working taps and no more burst pipes.”
The City has not yet released a timeline or budget breakdown for the replacement programme, but Morero said detailed plans will be shared in the coming weeks.