City of Joburg needs R12.65 billion for water infrastructure backlog

08 November 2017

 

The City of Johannesburg' water infrastructure needs an overhaul, and the cost of doing so is climbing rapidly.

Joburg depends on its citywide network of ageing underground pipes, many of which are reaching, or have exceeded, the end of their useful life.

 

Cllr Nico de Jager, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Infrastructure Services in the City of Johannesburg, presented the status of all water and sanitation infrastructure owned by the City of Johannesburg at a media briefing in Braamfontein on Tuesday, 7 November 2017.

The presentation revealed that the City needs R12.65 billion to tackle its renewal and replacement backlog over the next 10 years. This translates into R1.265 billion every year for the next 10 years.

Joburg Water, the City's water entity, needs to secure the funds to upgrade water and sewer capacity backlog, water pump stations renewals, reservoirs rehabilitation, water pipes renewal and wastewater treatment works plant.

MMC De Jager said: "Theft of brass water meters is increasing and costing the City a lot of money. During the 2016/2017 financial year, approximately 4 004 brass meters were stolen. Joburg Water is working closely with community policing forums for increased police visibility to assist with curbing the theft of meters."

The City is also considering establishing first-line response teams to assist in reducing time of water wastage when pipe bursts do occurs to minimise direct cost of these leaks.

Joburg Water is in the process of constructing nine new water reservoirs and towers that will serve a total of 163 800 households in areas like Blue Hills, Woodmead, Halfway House, Lawley and Doornkop West. Capital budget will be allocated on the renewal and replacement of 633km of water pipes and 456km of sewer pipes.