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As water slowly returns to Fourways and surrounding areas following critical valve maintenance this week by Johannesburg Water residents need to understand that such outages are part of a grander strategy to upgrade the city’s water infrastructure. 

This is the call from MMC for Environment & Infrastructure Services Department Cllr. Michael Sun.

Water services were cut off at the corners of Leslie and Troupant affecting the area for the majority of the day on Monday, 4 April 2022, as engineers worked tirelessly to restore service. 

Supply was briefly restored late on Monday night but had to again be isolated due to a burst further down Leslie Avenue causing a lengthy disruption for the majority of the week.

“We understand how difficult life becomes without an uninterrupted water supply,” MMC for Environment & Infrastructure Service Department Cllr. Michael Sun said.

“But this critical work now will pay off in the future as we slowly upgrade Johannesburg’s ageing water infrastructure. It is unfortunate that further failures tend to occur while our engineers are busy making upgrades. We are dealing with a multi-year backlog of overdue maintenance.”

If Johannesburg Water does not undertake this vital improvement of pipes, valves and other water infrastructure the problems currently experienced by residents will only compound. Being mild in comparison to what can be expected further down the line. 

“We always will ensure all this overdue maintenance and repairs takes place with the least possible inconvenience to Johannesburg residents,” Cllr. Sun added. 

“But we appeal to everyone for their patience. This needs to happen in order for us to ensure that the entire Johannesburg city has regular and reliable water supply in years to come. Work will always be carried out as fast as possible to return services to affected residents.”

Issued by Cllr Michael Sun, City of Joburg MMC Environment and Infrastructure Services