Johannesburg Water says parts of Melville continue to experience poor pressure to no water, as residents endure prolonged supply problems and demand clearer answers about when normal service will return.

The response follows a protest by residents of Melville and surrounding areas on Main Avenue on August 14, after residents said adequate water supply had been disrupted since August 13.

Read more: Melville residents demand answers as week-long water outage sparks protest

The Melville Residents Association (MRA) described the situation as a continuing service delivery crisis, saying some residents have experienced more than 50 days without water at different points during 2026.
In an open letter to Johannesburg Water (JW), MRA chairperson Darryl Gouws called for a detailed explanation of the current outage, a credible restoration timeline, and greater transparency around the Hursthill reservoirs and commando system.

JW spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said the commando system itself remains stable, but demand is placing pressure on the available supply. She said JW teams were monitoring the system and implementing interventions aimed at improving supply, while alternative water was being co-ordinated where practically possible. The utility’s response comes amid particular concern over Hursthill 1 and Hursthill 2, which form part of the infrastructure supplying affected areas.

The MRA questioned delays to rehabilitation work at Hursthill 2, saying residents have faced repeated disruptions while project timelines have shifted. Residents also criticised the information provided during outages, arguing that general updates about reservoir levels and system recovery do not always explain what has gone wrong, or when supply is expected to return.

Also read: Residents voice grievances on Northcliff water outage

JW said it issues area-specific notices when water supply problems occur and uses several channels to communicate with affected communities. According to Shabalala, updates are distributed through JW’s WhatsApp councillor groups and published on its official social media platforms, including X, Facebook, and its WhatsApp channel. She said disruptions can have different causes, including reduced bulk supply from Rand Water because of power failures or problems within Johannesburg Water’s own network, such as burst pipes.

Looking beyond the current outage, JW said it has programmes in place aimed at reducing water losses and strengthening the reliability of the network. ” Our water conservation and water demand management programme includes measures intended to reduce losses and lower the volume of water entering the system.”

The utility also pointed to its infrastructure planning and renewal programme, which includes pipe replacement, reservoir repairs, and the installation of smart flow controllers and pressure-reducing valves. Shabalala said these interventions are intended to reduce excessive pressure, limit bursts, and reduce water losses across the network.

The MRA has called for a permanent solution to problems affecting the commando system, improved emergency water provision during prolonged outages, and direct engagement between senior Johannesburg Water officials and affected communities.

Johannesburg Water said further updates would be provided as the situation progresses.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates!