Residents of Melville and surrounding suburbs took to the streets on Main Road and 4th Avenue on February 11, protesting an ongoing water crisis that has left many households without running water for more than three weeks.

The demonstration followed weeks of dry taps, with some residents saying they had been without water for over 23 days. Protesters said the situation had become unbearable, forcing them to demand urgent intervention from authorities.

Read more: Melville water crisis deepens as residents face weeks without reliable supply

Ward 87 councillor Kyle Jacobs said residents had been pushed to breaking point.

“The water crisis is unacceptable,” Jacobs said. “Some residents have been without water for 23, 24 days. It has honestly reached a crisis point. We cannot continue like this. People have been driven to protest because their constitutional rights are being affected.”

He said the protest reflected both frustration and unity among residents fighting for reliable access to water. “It’s good to see people standing together to fight for water security. Water is essential for dignity and sustainable development in our communities,” he added.

Also read: Emmarentia residents bear the human cost as Johannesburgs water crisis drags on

Melville resident Bridget van Oerle said the turnout showed that residents had reached their limit, although she wished more people had joined the protest.

“It’s fantastic that people have come out,” she said. “Citizens need to be active if they want change.”

@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Melville resident Jenny Gillies talks about how the water crisis has affected her, Melville residents chant: ‘We want water’, while protesting over the ongoing water crisis and Motorists show their support for Melville residents protesting over the ongoing water crisis. Video: Waydon Jacobs #Northcliff #Water ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Van Oerle said the problem extended beyond Melville, affecting neighbouring areas such as Westdene, Richmond, Coronationville and Westbury. She said the water outages were not new but part of an ongoing pattern.

“This is not the first time,” she said. “Some communities have experienced sporadic water supply for years. In Melville, we’re going on more than 23 days, and it keeps happening.”

She pointed to failing infrastructure and poor maintenance as key drivers of the crisis, saying the problem had developed over decades.

“The lack of infrastructure maintenance and repairs is taking its toll,” she said. “Residents have had enough. Water is a constitutional right, yet people are left without it for weeks.”

Protesters also raised concerns about the absence of water tankers, limited communication from authorities, and the crisis’s impact on families, businesses, and essential services.

“How do people cope without water?” Van Oerle asked. “There are children, hospitals, businesses and daily lives that depend on it. Something has to change.”

UPDATE

On February 8, JW highlighted that the Commando system is currently under severe constraints, and subsystems are critically low. “As a result, poor pressure to no water supply is expected in most supply zones. This situation is due to a combination of reduced inflows and increased demand, which can include leaks and bursts. We are prioritising these as best as possible,” said JW.

The water utility gave progress on the following reservoirs:

• Crosby reservoir: Levels are low but supplying fairly. Most customers are receiving satisfactory supply; however, customers in higher-lying areas may experience poor pressure.
• Brixton reservoir is currently low to empty. Outlets closed to build capacity.
• Brixton tower: Is low due to a combination of reduced pumping and high demand. Poor pressure to no water is expected in higher-lying areas. Ongoing pumping will remain.
• Hursthill 1 and 2 reservoirs are on bypass; they both rely on a stable supply into the Commando system. Due to the overall demand for JW systems, the supply is not stable, causing intermittent supply. Poor pressure to no water is expected in higher-lying areas. HH2 water situation investigation continues as communicated separately.

JW added that both Hursthill 1 and 2 reservoirs are augmented from Northcliff, Serpentine and Stanford. “However, the system remains constrained, and both entities are in close contact and implementing necessary interventions.

“Alternative water is provided in a regionally coordinated manner. JW regrets the inconvenience to customers, business and public facilities and remains committed to putting necessary interventions in place to improve the situation.”

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