Johannesburg Water plans to completely overhaul its bulk infrastructure at the Hurst Hill, Brixton and Crosby reservoirs in the next four (4) years in a bid to address protracted vulnerabilities affecting water supply. This is according to member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Cllr Mpho Moerane, who has unveiled a multimillion-rand plan to invest in the maintenance and upgrade of the City’s water network.
Cllr Moerane says plans are in the pipeline to install a new connection from Rand Water to supplement the water supply to the Crosby Reservoir. There will also be a new booster pump station and associated pipework in Hurst Hill as well as the construction of a new reservoir and water tower in Brixton.
“Work has already commenced and is at the design stage for all three projects,” he adds.
Joburg Water – the City-entity responsible for water and sanitation – has been allocated a R3.3-billion multi-year capital budget for water and sewer pipe replacements, upgrades to the water storage infrastructure and the wastewater treatment works programme. The money will also be ploughed into the repair and maintenance of obsolete infrastructure.
Of that money, over R330-million will be invested in Joburg Water’s short and long-term plans to build more resilient water infrastructure for Brixton, Hurst Hill and Crosby reservoirs to ensure consistent supply to residents, businesses and hospitals in the area.
“We want to prevent water challenges not just for residents around Brixton, Hurst Hill and Crosby but across Johannesburg so we can avoid providing water tanks,” Cllr Moerane explains.
The MMC says Joburg Water is simultaneously building new water and sewer infrastructure across all seven Regions of the City, with a new pump station and elevated water tower under construction in Crown Gardens. The entity is also working on vast water and sewer pipe replacements in Parkmore and Orange Farm, both of which are nearing completion.
The Environment and Infrastructure Services MMC urges Joburgers to conserve and save water daily because South Africa is a water-scarce country.
“Water resources continue to be threatened due to climate and environmental changes. We plead with residents to use water sparingly and not to pollute sewer and stormwater infrastructure,” urges Cllr Moerane.
He encourages residents to subscribe to Joburg Water service alerts for planned or unplanned interruptions on Twitter @jhbwater and Facebook: Johannesburg Water.
