After days of dry taps and mounting frustration, parts of Melville saw the faintest signs of relief on February 13 as trickles of water began reaching lower-lying streets.

But according to protest organiser and Melville resident Bridget van Oerle, the flow is far from enough. “Some streets do have water back,” she said, noting that the supply appears limited to the lower ends of the suburb. At the current rate, she added, it seems unlikely that higher-lying areas will receive much — if any — water today.

The limited return comes amid ongoing protests from February 11 to 13, with residents demanding answers and urgent intervention over the deepening water crisis.

Among the protesters is 72-year-old Westdene resident Lieza Louw, who has chosen to meet the hardship with humour. “We have been protesting since February 11, about our water crisis. We, the people, decided to do something,” Louw said.

Read more: Melville, Emmarentia and surrounding suburbs highlight deeper strain on water supply

Her colleagues had notified her of the rain forecast for February 13, and she saw an opportunity. Having gone without washing her hair for some time, she decided the downpour would serve as her shower. “I didn’t decide what I wanted to do in the morning,” she explained. “Then I thought — it’s time to wash my hair in the rain.”

Armed with shampoo and conditioner, dressed in a beach top and flip-flops, and with dry clothes packed in the boot of her car, Louw headed to the corner of 4th and Main Avenue in Melville. There, she washed and rinsed her hair in the rain before returning to work — a lighthearted act that underscored the severity of the crisis.

Meanwhile, Johannesburg Water confirmed on February 12 via X that it continues investigating the ongoing supply challenges affecting the Hursthill 2 system. Operational teams remain on site, working to stabilise the network.

“Continuous monitoring and troubleshooting are underway to improve supply performance,” the utility said. Additional network configurations are being implemented, including testing alternative supply arrangements and assessing possible support from neighbouring supply zones. Teams are closely monitoring system pressures, flows, and overall network behaviour to identify constraints and implement corrective measures.

@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Frustrated residents of Emmarentia voice their anger over the water crisis, storming the convoy of the Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Dada Morero on February 11. Video: Waydon Jacobs #Northcliff #Johannesburgwater ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Johannesburg Water added that it will continue evaluating the network and implement further corrective actions as required to stabilise supply. The Commando system remains constrained, with low pressure to no water expected in some areas.

Also read: Melville residents take to the streets as water crisis sparks urgent protest

Reservoir Status

• Crosby Reservoir: Supplying fairly; poor pressure to no water expected
• Brixton 1 Reservoir: Supplying fairly
• Brixton 1 Tower: Reduced pumping; poor pressure expected
• Brixton 2 Reservoir: Supplying fairly with poor pressure
• Hursthill 1 Reservoir: On bypass; poor pressure
• Hursthill 2 Reservoir: On bypass; poor pressure

Parktown 2 Reservoir is also critically low and empty, with poor pressure to no water expected.

The publication will continue to follow up with residents and Johannesburg Water on the ongoing crisis.

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