WaterCan and JoburgCAN want the budget for water in the City of Johannesburg to increase by at least R3 billion.
In addition, the civil society groups want funds ringfenced for the maintenance of water infrastructure in Joburg.
Speaking at a webinar on Wednesday evening, Dr Ogone Motlogeloa from the Organization Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) said ringfencing water revenue, would protect infrastructure against effects of climate change.
WaterCAN’s Joburg Water Petition was signed by over 3,500 concerned citizens and was handed over to the Johannesburg City Council in January 2025.
Dr Fariel Adams, Executive Manager at WaterCan said there is money in the City, ringfencing would serve as financial protection of funds. She said the Joburg Water Crisis is a snapshot of the country.
Adams said about 45% of clinics and 25% of schools have no access to water in the country.
She also said the City allocated about R70 million instead of from R1, 2 to R3 billion for water.
“We are all gathering ourselves for next steps as the Jhb Crisis Alliance, to meet with the President on Friday.”
She said the situation is so bad that water is now included on the stationary list for learners to bring their own to school.
About 25% of water is lost to leaks in Jhb.
Julia Fish, a Manager at WaterCan, water has a systemic under funding.
She said there is a need to build more reservoirs, pipelines and wastewater treatment works.
She also said the City has not met its target of 95% revenue collection and is also losing R1 billion per month because people cannot afford to pay for services.