7-day water outage leaves Sundowner taps dry

Daily 15-hour water cuts have disrupted household management and basic living standards for families in Ward 134.

Residents claimed they have gone seven days without running water and received no official notice regarding the cause, updates, or when the interruption will end.

Read more: Ward 102 councillor demands action on persistent Pretoria Avenue water leaks

Resident Trevor Zenzele claimed his taps run dry at about 10:00 and only return at 01:00, resulting in his family filling water every day from JoJo tanks in the estate.

He said despite various reports through community networks, there have been no responses from the relevant stakeholders.

“This erratic schedule has severely disrupted daily household management, hygiene, and basic living standards,” said Zenzele. “Operating during peak daytime hours (10:00–01:00) means water is cut during the exact windows when critical domestic chores, cooking, and sanitation must take place. I am even planning on moving to a different suburb with backup water next year.

“My biggest concern is the severe health and hygiene risks, particularly given that I live with a toddler who requires constant cleaning, bottle sanitisation, and bathing, as well as women in the household who experience menstrual cycles and require consistent, reliable access to water for fundamental hygiene, sanitation, and health safety.

Being left without water for more than 15 hours a day makes maintaining a hygienic environment nearly impossible.”

Rand Water cuts bulk supply

Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp said he has escalated reports of the ongoing water interruptions and that various areas in the ward are affected.

Also read: Joburg Water has plans for troubling underground pipe in Randburg CBD

According to Steenkamp, the responses to the reports are largely centred on reduced incoming bulk supply and excessive demand on the Honeydew Reservoir system.

“Rand Water has implemented restrictions on bulk water supply to Johannesburg because the city’s consumption has exceeded its allocated supply. Johannesburg Water has explained that the reduced incoming supply, combined with high demand, is preventing reservoirs from recovering adequately,” he said.

He added after repeated escalations, Johannesburg Water deployed JoJo water tankers to Sundowner on Drysdale and Apollo roads.

Johannesburg Water intervenes

Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said the entity understands that water is essential to everyday life, and that prolonged or recurring interruptions place a significant burden on households, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and other community services, and sympathises with residents’ frustration.

According to Shabalala, the City of Johannesburg is currently experiencing increased pressure on its water supply system as rising temperatures and warmer weather contribute to higher water consumption.

“Johannesburg Water is increasing its interventions to manage the high demand throughout the city,” said Shabalala. “The entity is focusing on active management of the water supply system, using a range of interventions to balance available water resources with demand.

These measures include the management of reservoir levels and the implementation of throttling and restrictions where necessary at reservoirs and pump stations. Johannesburg Water is also strengthening pressure management across the network to optimise the available water and reduce unnecessary losses.”

The entity is further prioritising the repair of water leaks and bursts, including addressing both the existing backlog and newly reported incidents.

Shabalala concluded by reminding residents that throttling schedules and system updates are shared multiple times a day across their social media platforms and ward councillor WhatsApp groups.

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