Brixton reservoir project shows progress with monitoring still ongoing
Johannesburg Water is advancing critical upgrades to stabilise supply in Brixton. The new Brixton reservoir is online, supplying water while undergoing monitoring.
With the new year kicking off, a project that saw R800m injected to improve the water quality for Bricton residents is now seeing better days amid constant delays and frustration from residents. Very soon, they may see the end to a long and dry battle.
On January 27, Ward 87 councillor Kyle Jacobs conducted an oversight at the new Brixton reservoir and tower, confirming that it is now online and supplying water to the system, though monitoring and testing are ongoing, according to the project manager.
Jacobs said that the water utility brought the reservoir into operation in mid-January. “They did experience some issues initially, consisting of bursts and leaks on the supply lines, which required repairs and reconfiguration,” Jacobs said. “However, that work has been completed, and the reservoir is now supplying water without further problems.”
Jacobs noted that residents connected to the reservoir will be closely monitored for any fluctuations in water pressure or supply issues. JW stated that they will liaise with residents to gather feedback, which will inform adjustments to the system as needed.
“Even though the reservoir has been commissioned, it is still being monitored. Some streets may need adjustments to ensure all residents receive an adequate supply. The network may require valve changes or reconfigurations as we learn how the systems behave,” he added.
JW spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala confirmed that the new structure has successfully passed all required construction and safety tests. “In addition, comprehensive water quality testing has been completed and approved by an accredited laboratory, confirming that the reservoir is safe for water storage and distribution. The outlet from the new reservoir was opened on January 16, marking a key milestone in the project.”
Also read: Johannesburg Water warns of lack of water supply as repairs on Hursthill 2 reservoir begin
Shabalala added that the commissioning process is currently underway over the next few weeks. During this phase, she explained, minor technical issues were identified and are being addressed, with all outstanding work expected to be completed shortly. “At present, the reservoir is partially supplying the system via a 200mm pipeline. Full operation of the system is anticipated to commence during the week commencing on January 26, subject to the successful completion of final checks.”
She explained that the structure has passed its water-tightness test, which involved filling the tower with water over several weeks to confirm the absence of leaks. “All pump station equipment associated with the tower has also successfully met testing requirements, and network connections (tie-ins) have been completed. The final tie-ins are scheduled in January, after which the formal commissioning phase will begin on February 3. This phase involves the gradual introduction of water into the system, close performance monitoring, and verification that all telemetry and control systems communicate effectively with JW’s central operations.”
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