Reservoirs in Johannesburg are estimated at between 40 – 70%.
This emerged at a media briefing on Friday afternoon.
Gugulethu Phakathi, Chief Operating Officer (COP) of Johannesburg Water, said reserves are depleting and high temperature as well as water losses are worsening this situation.
She said water demand far exceeds supply.
Mzakhe Mtshweni, Johannesburg Water’s General Manager of Operations, said interventions include reducing water in high user areas identified, between 9pm and 5am, although a scheduled will be shared next week.
He also said a study conducted in a township showed 35% of a household’s bill, comes from water leaks.
As a result, JW will embark on a drive to close leaks and curb losses.
About 9 informal settlements in Lenasia and Orange Farm are on JW’s itinerary of illegal disconnection as soon as next week.
Mtshweni said the drive is a City wide one, also targeting business and institutions that owe the City millions.
The enforcement of a bylaw against illegal connections is done in partnership with JMPD, Public Order Policing and tactical teams.