Johannesburg’s water systems are under the microscope again. Today, 09 October 2025, the City, led by Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero, hosted members of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation to assess progress on the Johannesburg Water Turnaround Strategy.
The visit follows the City’s first appearance before Parliament on 19 September, where officials outlined steps being taken to strengthen water supply systems and improve service delivery. But as Johannesburg continues to grapple with aging infrastructure and growing demand, residents are watching closely: promises on paper don’t always translate to taps running full.
MP and Committee Chair LJ Basson led the team on a series of presentations and site inspections across the city. They toured projects aimed at improving infrastructure resilience, boosting water reliability, and cutting down on non-revenue water—water that’s lost before it even reaches households.
Key projects showcased included:
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Crosby Reservoir and New Pipeline: Still under construction, but critical for residents in Westbury and Coronationville who have experienced intermittent supply.
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Brixton Reservoir and Tower Upgrade: Intended to increase storage capacity and system efficiency.
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Water Tanker Depot and Filling Points: Emergency supply hubs for communities hit hardest by shortages.
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Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant and Vaal River Intervention Projects: Run by Rand Water, these are designed to secure Johannesburg’s water future.
Cllr Morero framed the visit as a partnership: “We welcome the Committee's oversight and guidance as we continue implementing our turnaround strategy. This partnership is vital to ensuring Johannesburg's water systems are reliable, efficient, and responsive to the needs of our residents.”
Yet, as the delegation walked through reservoirs and treatment plants, one question lingered: how quickly will these projects translate into tangible change for everyday residents? For many Johannesburg communities, water remains a daily uncertainty, and oversight visits are only part of the solution.
What’s clear is that Johannesburg is trying—investing in infrastructure, engaging with Parliament, and making progress visible. But for residents in areas where taps run dry, words and photos aren’t enough. The real test will be whether the City can deliver water reliably, every day, to every household.