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Johannesburg is dealing with a growing water crisis. Civil society group WaterCAN says the city is already living under Day Zero conditions. The group is calling on government to declare the situation a national disaster to unlock urgent funding and support.
Many areas across the city now struggle to get water. Thousands of residents are affected. The crisis is raising concerns about infrastructure failure and long-term water security.
WaterCAN Warns Over Falling Dam Levels
WaterCAN Executive Director Dr Ferrial Adam says the situation is critical. She reports that dam levels are sitting at about 58.3 percent capacity. This has raised fears of a long dry period in the coming months.
Low water levels, together with weak systems, are putting heavy pressure on Johannesburg’s supply network.
Infrastructure Failures Fuel Joburg Water Shortage
According to WaterCAN, the Joburg water shortage is caused by leaking reservoirs, burst pipes, and poor storage systems. These problems make it hard to balance supply across the city.
The crisis became worse after an explosion at a Rand Water pump station. The blast disrupted supply in several areas for days. Many households were left without running water.
Residents Spend Days Without Water
Dr Adam says the city’s water system is fragile and badly managed. Many communities now face long outages. Some areas have gone more than 12 days without water.
Residents have turned to sharing water from boreholes and swimming pools. WaterCAN warns these options will not last. They may also create health risks if the crisis continues.
Tensions Grow as Protests Near
The Johannesburg water crisis is causing tension between communities. Dr Adam describes the situation as chaotic. Several areas are preparing protests as anger over water access grows.
Residents want fast repairs, better planning, and clear communication from city officials about water schedules.
WaterCAN Calls for National Disaster Status
WaterCAN is urging national leaders to declare the crisis a national disaster. The group says this would unlock funding and skilled support to fix the system.
They also call for long-term water planning, public education, and urgent upgrades to aging infrastructure.
Joburg Water Crisis Shows National Strain
Johannesburg’s problems reflect wider challenges across South Africa. Climate pressure and population growth are increasing demand on limited water supplies.
Without fast action and smart planning, water shortages could become more common in major cities.
