Residents of Johannesburg are marking National Water Week from 16 to 20 March, even as many communities across the city continue to face persistent water shortages.
The campaign, recognised by Johannesburg Water, forms part of National Water Month and this year is held under the theme “Water and Gender – Where Water Flows, Equality Grows.” Officials say the week is meant to encourage residents to protect water resources, report leaks and reduce unnecessary consumption.
In promotional material shared by the utility, residents are urged to remember that water is a “shared responsibility” and to take simple steps such as saving water, protecting infrastructure and reporting leaks.
However, the awareness campaign comes at a time when large parts of the city are experiencing intermittent supply disruptions, low pressure or complete outages — raising questions among residents about the reliability of water services in South Africa’s economic hub.
Why Joburg is experiencing water shortages
Several structural and operational challenges have contributed to the recurring shortages affecting the city.
1. Aging infrastructure
A major cause of disruptions is Johannesburg’s aging water infrastructure. Much of the city’s pipeline network is decades old and prone to leaks and bursts. These failures can result in significant water losses and temporary supply interruptions while repairs are carried out.
2. High demand and population growth
As one of Africa’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, Johannesburg has seen rising water demand due to population growth, urban development and expanding industry. At times, consumption exceeds the system’s capacity to consistently maintain pressure across the network.
3. Load shedding and power interruptions
Water pumping stations depend heavily on electricity. Power cuts linked to the country’s energy crisis — particularly those associated with Eskom load shedding — can disrupt pumping operations, causing reservoirs to drop and supply to slow or stop in some areas.
4. Maintenance and system upgrades
Bulk water supplier Rand Water periodically conducts large-scale maintenance on its infrastructure. When this happens, municipalities like Johannesburg must temporarily reduce supply while repairs or upgrades are completed.
5. Water losses from leaks and illegal connections
Officials have also pointed to significant water losses caused by leaks, vandalism and illegal connections. These losses place additional strain on an already pressured system.
Call for residents to help conserve water
Despite the difficulties, Johannesburg Water says public participation remains critical to protecting the city’s supply.
Residents are encouraged to conserve water, avoid waste, and report leaks using the utility’s dedicated hotline. Authorities say fixing leaks quickly and reducing consumption can help stabilise reservoir levels during periods of strain.
As National Water Week continues, officials say the message remains simple: protecting water resources today is essential to securing supply for future generations.
The campaign’s slogan — “Vikela Amanzi, Protect Our Tomorrow” — underscores the call for residents, businesses and government to work together to safeguard one of the country’s most critical resources.