Kya Sands businesses struggle after nearly two months without water
Kya Sands businesses have endured 51 days without a stable water supply. Despite repeated requests for assistance, Johannesburg Water’s failure to resolve the issue is causing chaos.
Businesses in Newport Business Park, Kya Sands have been without a stable water supply for more than 50 days.
Despite numerous requests for assistance, the companies said Johannesburg Water had failed to provide a clear solution, leaving business owners in despair.
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Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp, DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, and DA Shadow MMC of EISD Tyrell Meyers met with the frustrated business owners. The situation has become critical, with many businesses struggling to keep operations running due to the lack of water.
The main issue is that the water pressure in the area is virtually non-existent during the day when businesses need it most. Johannesburg Water’s so-called interventions have been insufficient – two JoJo tanks have been provided but they are rarely refilled. As a result, business owners are forced to find costly alternatives, with some having to fetch water from their own homes, while others send drivers to Muldersdrift daily.
To make matters worse, these businesses are allegedly being billed for water they are unable to access.
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The businesses claim that repeated inspections by Joburg water have led to no progress, and when a fault is not immediately visible, the logged calls are simply shut down. Many business owners have lost trust in the process, and requests for water tankers have largely been ignored.
Steenkamp said during a recent visit, a Johannesburg Water representative said she would escalate the matter, but he said he had heard these empty promises before.
This ongoing water crisis is costing jobs, driving businesses away, and threatening the economic stability of the area. The city’s failure to address the problem is unacceptable and immediate intervention is needed.
The DA is now taking the matter to the EISD Section 79 Committee and the Mayor’s office. Steenkamp has called on Johannesburg Water to stop making excuses and start delivering real solutions.
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