Johannesburg continues to face an ongoing water crisis, with residents dealing with regular and extended outages that disrupt daily life.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has now called for the water situation to be officially declared an emergency, as there seems to be no end in sight to the water shortages.
The party’s concerns come after the worsening water supply issues, which have been severely impacting communities across the city.
Johannesburg Faces Nine-Hour Water Outage Affecting Dozens of Suburbs
On 13 February 2025, Johannesburg Water will implement a significant nine-hour water outage that will impact over 40 suburbs in the city.
This planned shutdown is part of the ongoing efforts to manage the water supply, but it will leave many areas, including Halfway Gardens, Erand Gardens, and Halfway House, with dry taps.
These outages, which can last for days, are only adding to the frustration of residents who are already dealing with the fallout of ongoing water supply problems.
DA Expresses Concern Over Critical Water Shortages
The DA in Gauteng has voiced increasing concern about the ongoing water shortages that have become a constant problem for Johannesburg and neighboring Ekurhuleni.
A system status report released by Joburg Water on 11 February 2025 revealed that critical reservoir levels were being reported in several regions, raising alarms about the reliability of the water supply.
The DA’s statement highlighted the distress residents are facing as they endure multiple days without water, with no clear solutions in sight.
Lack of Proper Planning for Water Supply Issues
According to the DA, the lack of proper planning and coordination between authorities is exacerbating the crisis.
Nico de Jager MPL, the DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Development, criticized the ongoing finger-pointing between Rand Water, Eskom, and City Power, calling for decisive action and better contingency planning.
De Jager emphasized that residents need real solutions and not just blame-shifting.
DA Proposes Solutions to Fix the Water Crisis
To tackle the ongoing water shortages, the DA has outlined a plan that includes three major initiatives.
First, they propose establishing independent power suppliers at all major pump stations, utilizing solar and battery systems to ensure a more reliable power source.
Second, they recommend upgrading the aging water infrastructure by implementing smart pressure management systems to improve efficiency.
Finally, the DA calls for the creation of a rapid response maintenance unit to handle water infrastructure emergencies swiftly.
Call for Gauteng Government to Declare Water Crisis an Emergency
The DA is now urging the Gauteng Provincial Government to step in and take immediate action to address the water crisis.
They are calling for the situation to be officially declared an emergency, allowing for more substantial and immediate measures to be put in place.
The DA believes that the situation requires more than just temporary fixes—it demands a complete overhaul of the management and maintenance of the city’s water infrastructure.
Have You Been Affected by the Water Crisis in Johannesburg?
If you’ve been impacted by the ongoing water shortages in Johannesburg, the DA encourages residents to share their experiences.
You can leave a comment or contact them via WhatsApp at 060 011 021 1 to get involved or provide feedback on how the crisis is affecting you.
Stay updated on the latest developments by subscribing to news alerts or following The South African website on social media for more updates.
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