Johannesburg – For the fourth day running Johannesburg Water technicians have been on-site at the Northcliff reservoir and tower, where they are trying to find out why taps in the area have no water.
Taps ran dry in Northcliff on Sunday, (6 April 2025).
Messages regarding the water supply disruption from Johannesburg Water – relayed through Ward 88 Councilor Nicolene Jonker – have varied from a suspected pipe burst to faulty valves causing the pumps to trip.
On Monday, (7 April 2025), Councilor Jonker said: “I’ve received feedback from Johannesburg Water confirming there are no issues with the pumps.
“However, when pumping began, the system overheated – suggesting that water was being pushed against a blocked line or a closed valve.
“The Networks team is investigating the line to identify and resolve the issue.”
By Tuesday, it was clear the technicians were at their wits end.
“This is your official update from Johannesburg Water following last night’s developments,” Councillor Jonker said.
“As many of you know, I left the site around 21:30.
“I’ll contact the depot manager at 07:00 to discuss the next steps and push for an urgent resolution.
“Here’s what we discovered: water is not reaching the tower from the pump station.
“According to Electro-Mech, this could be due to a closed valve.
“However, the depot maintains that no valves on this main line could be closed.
“It was extremely hot inside when I was at the pump station around 21:00.”
Councillor Jonker said in the meantime, residents can help by putting pressure on the entity.
“Please email fault@jwater.co.za with your no-water complaint and include your area name,” Councillor Jonker said.
“I’ll also attempt to contact the MD again today.”
By Wednesday morning, (9 April 2025), desperation was setting in.
Councllor Jonker said: “Unfortunately, I received no feedback from the depot manager last night.
“I will follow up with him personally at 07:30 this morning.
“I know we are now at 56 hours without water, and I understand how incredibly frustrating and difficult that is – but I’d like to give him just one extra hour of sleep before I call.”
Councilor Jonker said, while she did not want to speculate, the issue could be one of two things:
- The non-return valve at 44 Joseph Avenue might need replacing, or
- There may be a fault with the motors.
“I know emotions are running high — no water for this long is incredibly hard.
“But I want you to know I’ve seen the teams working in the rain, pushing through for us.
“On the human side of this crisis, I want to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the team: last night at around 22:00,
“We found out the electrician’s child was waiting at the depot for his dad, and the chief engineer had his super cute daughter (no older than eight) with him on-site until 20:00 – and she sings beautifully.
“I know emotions are running high — no water for this long is incredibly hard. But I want you to know I’ve seen the teams working in the rain, pushing through for us.
“I also want to sincerely thank Ronald and Kevin for staying with us most of the day and every resident who popped in – your support and presence made a big difference.”
There is still no water in Northcliff, and Johannesburg Water technicians are still on site.
Tankers have been placed in the area to assist residents with water.
Three have been asked to be stationed at:
• BP 14th Avenue
• Impala Centre, Beyers Naudé
• Spar Northcliff
Councillor Jonker warned that following areas might be affected due to the Northcliff Reservoir and Tower supply constraints:
• Northcliff Reservoir
• Pierneef Park
• Victory Park Ext.1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32
• Victory Park Estate S.H.
• Montgomery Park & Montgomery Park Ext.3
• Albertville Ext.1
• Franklin Roosevelt Park & Franklin Roosevelt Park Ext.1
• Linden & Linden Ext.3
• Northcliff, Northcliff Ext.2, 3, 5, 12, 14, 21, 32
• Montroux
• Cresta Ext.4 & Ext.6
• Waterval Estate & Waterval Estate Ext.5
• Aldarapark
• Pierneef Park Ext.1
• Risidale
• Albertskroon
• Greymont
• East Town
• Blackheath & Blackheath Ext.1
• Pine Park, Pine Park Ext.1 & Ext.2
• Blairgowrie
• Emmarentia Ext.1
• Parkhurst
