22 hours ago
Joburg Mayor Dada Morero Addresses Water Crisis and Office Accommodation Challenges
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has provided an update on the city's pressing issues, including the ongoing water crisis, challenges with office accommodations, and the closure of the Metro Centre.
Morero revealed that the city's water reserves remain critically low at just 40%, a level he described as inadequate for a system of Johannesburg's size. The City is aiming to increase reserves to over 60% to mitigate the risk of sudden water supply interruptions.
In November 2024, the city recorded a 6% reduction in water consumption due to various measures, including scheduled water restrictions, quicker repairs, removal of illegal connections, and improved leak management. However, areas like the Hursthill-2 zone remain under severe strain due to high demand caused by a persistent heatwave.
To address this, the City has been closing reservoir outlets in Brixton and Hursthill at night to rebuild capacity, while deploying water tankers to affected areas. In Midrand, zones like Grand Central and Erand are also facing challenges, with efforts underway to monitor and adjust the system to improve supply.
The South Hills tower system, which ran dry due to high demand, has recovered slightly, and permanent upgrades are in progress. These upgrades include constructing a sump to provide a buffer during bulk supply constraints.
Johannesburg remains under level-1 water restrictions, which prohibit irrigation between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., mandate spray nozzles for hosepipes, and ban the hosing of hard surfaces. The mayor urged residents to comply with these restrictions and reduce water demand while the City addresses water wastage.
Structural Challenges at the Metro Centre
Turning to office accommodation issues, Morero highlighted severe structural problems at the Metro Centre, a 50-year-old building that houses 3,000 employees and serves as a hub for municipal services. The building has been deemed unsafe due to deteriorating infrastructure, including outdated electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
"Swift action was necessary to prevent exposing City of Johannesburg employees and the public to further danger," Morero said. Maintenance had been neglected, resulting in significant leaks and other safety risks.
The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), which manages approximately 29,000 properties, oversees the Metro Centre. Of these, 74% are allocated to city services, while 82% of 7,575 properties serve community needs, such as creches, churches, and private parking.
The mayor assured residents that the City is working diligently to address office accommodation challenges, particularly the closure and refurbishment of the Metro Centre.
Moving Forward
Mayor Morero reiterated the City's commitment to resolving the water crisis and addressing infrastructure issues. He called on residents to collaborate by reducing water demand and adhering to restrictions, while the City works on long-term solutions to secure water supply and improve municipal facilities.