The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) held a meeting over the weekend to discuss interventions as the city battles various water challenges.

Exceedingly high water consumption, leaks and high nonrevenue water are the major contributors to these challenges.

This followed Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina’s monitoring of the progress made at the new under-construction 26 megalitres Brixton water reservoir.

The new Brixton reservoir, which will augment water needs in the city and is expected to be completed in April 2025, forms part of the CoJ’s interventions to mitigate and overcome the water challenges.

Majodina commended CoJ Executive Mayor Councillor Dada Morero and project leaders on the initiative, saying the new reservoir will help the city’s ever-growing population.

“The population is growing, [as] Johannesburg becomes the United Nations of South Africa with everyone coming to the city to seek a better life. When they come the first thing they expect is water and this affects the capacity in terms of storage,” she commented.

However, for the positive effects to be felt, the city needs to curb water losses.

“I am happy that you are upgrading so that you get more capacity. But the good work will not be noticed if the water is lost through leaks. So It is important to close that gap so that the impact of augmented capacity is felt in the region,” she continued.

The new reservoir is built on the Brixton Primary school premises, an innovation that will make the reservoir a first of its kind in the city, said Morero, pointing out that, as it is underground, its surface will be turned into the sports ground of school which will include a soccer field and tennis courts. A safe drop-off and parking area will also be built.

“The reservoir has both socioeconomic and corporate social responsibility elements for the benefit of the community,” said Morero.

Further, the CoJ will be undertaking other massive infrastructure refurbishments to mitigate and guarantee a stable water supply in Johannesburg.