Communities across Coronationville, Westbury, and Claremont continue to face significant challenges accessing reliable, clean water as Rand Water’s maintenance programme disrupts supply across parts of Johannesburg.
While emergency water tankers have been deployed to support affected households, residents report persistent issues with both the quality and consistency of deliveries. According to community members, tankers are scheduled to arrive by 7:00 AM and follow an hourly rotation, but in practice, arrivals are erratic or absent altogether. During recent visits to affected areas, no tankers were observed on-site despite expected delivery windows.
When water is delivered, multiple residents have raised concerns about its condition, describing it as discolored and unfit for drinking or cooking. One resident noted that a tanker arriving the previous day provided water that was visibly dirty, raising health and safety concerns—particularly for households with infants, elderly members, or individuals managing chronic health conditions.
Vulnerable residents face compounded difficulties. Elderly community members have reported struggling to arrange or afford assistance to travel and collect water. Patients who require clean water to take medication expressed anxiety about interruptions to their treatment routines. In the absence of reliable tanker service, some households in Coronationville have turned to a local mosque as an alternative source of clean water.
In Claremont, the situation remains equally uncertain. A water tanker previously stationed in the area was removed after its supply was exhausted, with no immediate replacement deployed. Residents interviewed on the streets indicated they were unaware of alternative collection points, leaving many without clear guidance on accessing emergency supplies.
Authorities have confirmed that restoration efforts are progressing, with water supply reinstated in some neighborhoods. However, officials note that high-lying areas and communities reliant on the Commando system and Brixton reservoir continue to experience delays. Full system stabilization is expected to require additional time as maintenance work continues.
Until consistent service is restored, residents in affected suburbs remain in a state of uncertainty, awaiting dependable access to clean water for essential daily needs.
