Water Isn't the Problem, JW Is

Councillor: Difficult to Reach End User Due to Infrastructure

- Emily Wellman Bain

Few things in life are certain, but a quick fix to Joburg's water crisis is impossible. The constitution in Section 27(1)(b) states that access to adequate water is a basic human right.

Despite this, large areas of the city are routinely forced to desperately chase roving water tankers or use buckets to fill from the taps when there is a supply.

Of the water the city does have, the spokesperson for Johannesburg Water (JW), Nombuso Shabalala, says 46% of non-revenue water is lost.

"Physical losses are 24%, commercial losses are 10%, and authorised unbilled consumption is 12%."

Mike Muller, a water expert, and WaterCAN, an Outa initiative, head Ferrial Adam agree that without a significant change of some of the top brass at JW and a large and sustained budget increase from the city, more of the same—and worse—can be expected.

"Revenue brought into city coffers is R12 billion annually—from that, JW is given only about R1.5 billion annually for upgrades, replacements and infrastructure. It says it needs at least R2.5 billion to R3 billion a year to operate effectively," said Adam.

"This is why they can only replace 14km of water pipes per year when we have thousands of kilometres of water pipes—it is a drop in the ocean."

Stanley Maphologela, director of communications and stakeholder management at the city said: "The entity allocated a R4.5 billion three-year capital budget. The allocation is aimed at carrying forward projects that focus on maintenance and upgrade of existing water and sewer infrastructure."

Asked why the council approved salary increases for its officials in an environment where entities are struggling so badly financially, he would not be drawn into a discussion.

"The budget approved by council on 22 May included a 4.8% increase for councillor salaries for the 2024-25 financial year, with a total allocation of R191 million."