Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala has clarified that water tankers reportedly distributing discoloured water to communities experiencing supply interruptions are not operated by the municipal utility.
The clarification follows ongoing disruptions linked to Rand Water’s scheduled maintenance, which commenced on Friday, 29 May, and is set to conclude on Tuesday, 2 June. The work has affected water pressure and availability across several western Johannesburg suburbs, including Coronationville, Claremont, Westbury, Brixton, Crosby, and Hurst Hill—neighbourhoods supplied via the Commando water system.
Shabalala emphasized that all water distributed through Johannesburg Water’s official tanker fleet undergoes rigorous testing in line with SANS 241 standards for safe drinking water. “With regards to water quality, I can confirm that the water tankers that are being alleged to have dirty water are not part of our tanker fleet,” she stated.
Residents in impacted areas have voiced concerns about unpredictable tanker arrivals, with some likening the pattern to an “ice cream truck”—if residents are not outside when the tanker passes, they risk missing their opportunity to collect water. While some community members reported receiving water that appeared unsuitable for consumption from unidentified tankers, Johannesburg Water maintains that its authorized vehicles comply with all regulatory quality requirements.
To support affected communities, the utility has deployed both stationary and mobile water tankers. Dedicated tanker coordinators have been assigned, and the utility is collaborating closely with ward counselors to redirect resources based on emerging needs. Shabalala noted that real-time tracking and photographic updates from coordinators have helped minimize long queues at distribution points—a common complaint during previous outages.
Critical facilities remain a top priority. Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, local clinics, old age homes, and informal settlements are receiving supplementary supply through boreholes and dedicated tanker support. These institutions maintain on-site storage reservoirs that Johannesburg Water routinely replenishes. Shabalala confirmed that no complaints regarding water access at health facilities have been received from the Gauteng Department of Health.
Preparations for the maintenance window began three weeks in advance, with stakeholder engagements spanning government departments, business representatives, ward counselors, and civil society organizations, including community water advocacy groups.
At the time of the statement, systems were approximately 48 hours into the maintenance cycle and showing signs of recovery. While the Illovo supply zone experienced pressure reductions overnight, improvements were recorded by morning. The SOWETO supply systems have remained largely resilient and continue to operate within normal parameters. However, reservoir levels within the Commando system—specifically Brixton, Crosby, and Hurst Hill—remain below optimal, though overnight gains were noted. Outlet valves at the Brixton reservoir have been opened, and water is being supplied via a link valve to the HTL 1 and 2 reservoirs to support gradual restoration.
Shabalala appealed for continued patience from residents in affected zones, noting that full system stabilization is anticipated to take three to five days following the completion of Rand Water’s maintenance activities. Johannesburg Water continues to encourage residents to store water where feasible and to report shortages through official channels to facilitate timely intervention.
