A timeline of water deprivation in Johannesburg
In the face of a worsening water crisis, Sophiatown communities are taking a stand. With a petition nearing 1,500 signatures, residents are calling for accountability and sustainable solutions to the ongoing water shortages that have plagued Johannesburg for years.
A report compiled by the Upliftment Initiative, represented by area activist Peta Louise Campbell, highlights a troubling timeline of water deprivation in Johannesburg, emphasising a pattern of recurring crises every five years.
Read more: City launches Water Safety and Disaster Risk Awareness Campaign
She said that this timeline coincides with national elections over the past two decades, raising questions about the accountability and responsiveness of local authorities.
“The humanitarian crisis surrounding water access first surfaced in 2009, attributed to aging infrastructure. However, the report argues that the real issue lies in the loss of skilled artisans necessary for maintaining this infrastructure.”
By 2014, the situation had deteriorated significantly, particularly in the Hursthill 1 feed zone, leaving many communities without access to clean water, as stated by Campbell.
“This led to mass protests in Sophiatown, as residents faced what they deemed mass human rights violations. The same year also marked the beginning of the ‘Eikenhof Saga,’ where electricity failures contributed to numerous disasters, yet no contingency plans were put in place to mitigate these recurring issues”, she said.
The report states that the crisis continued into 2019, with the climate crisis cited as a primary cause for the disrupted water supply.
“During this period, penalties for water overconsumption increased dramatically, leading to a 600% rise in tariffs for some residents. While rainfall provided temporary relief, the penalties remained in effect.”
Campbell furthermore said that a brief period of improvement occurred in late 2023 when government intervention helped restore the Hursthill 1 water supply, providing sufficient water until March 3, 2024. “However, on that date, a lightning strike in Johannesburg South left many communities again without water.”
The incident affected the Eikenhof Pump Station, initially attributed to an “Act of God,” but later confirmed as a flashover at the substation, she explained.
Also read: Johannesburg Water announces a 15-hour water shutdown
Despite numerous incidents over the years, the absence of a contingency plan at the Eikenhof Pump Station has raised serious concerns among residents, as said by Campbell.
Six months after the March incident, the water supply in Hursthill 1 has yet to return to pre-crisis flow rates and pressures, with no explanations from the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) or its subsidiaries.
She also reported that as a result, communities in Sophiatown and surrounding areas face ongoing water shedding and shifting, leading to inadequate flow rates throughout the day. Alarmingly, water pressure often normalises late at night, suggesting an eight-hour shedding cycle among the Hursthill 1, Crosby, and Brixton feeds.
Currently, their petition calling for action has garnered 1,286 signatures, with a goal of reaching 1,500.
Ward 88 councillor Nicolene Jonker echoed the same sentiments in relation to the ongoing water crisis, she stated that frustrated residents have taken to blocking roads in protest, a memorandum was submitted to the Speaker of Council, demanding prompt action.
“Despite this, the City has not supplied enough tanker services-only 25 water tankers available for the entire City’s population of almost five million people. This leaves large swaths of people without any form of support whatsoever.”
Furthermore Nicolene alongside, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg, once again appealed to the Mayor and the MMC for Environmental and Infrastructure Services, Jack Sekwaila to tackle the ongoing water crisis affecting residents throughout Johannesburg.
The Sophiatown community and surrounding areas are continuing to advocate for a sustainable and reliable water supply, demanding accountability from local authorities to address this pressing issue.
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: Alex residents are urged to use water sparingly
