Johannesburg Water has launched a disconnection drive targeting customers with outstanding municipal bills, aiming to recoup R2.7 million owed by 15 high-debt customers. The operation, conducted in northern and southern suburbs, highlights the city’s efforts to improve revenue collection and maintain its aging water infrastructure.
The Disconnection Drive
On Monday, Johannesburg Water, assisted by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), disconnected the water supply of 15 customers living in gated communities and sectional title developments. These customers, located in areas such as Glenvista, Buccleuch, and Sunninghill, collectively owe the city R2.7 million.
The resident with the highest outstanding bill owes over R333,000, while others owe more than R100,000 each. Some customers initially resisted allowing technicians access to their properties, prompting JMPD intervention.
“This is part of our efforts towards revenue collection, which is crucial for the maintenance and upgrading of the City of Johannesburg’s water and sewer infrastructure,” said Siphindile Ngange, Johannesburg Water’s senior manager for metering and revenue.
Reconnection Requirements
To have their water supply restored, the disconnected customers must either settle their accounts in full or make payment arrangements with the city’s credit management department. Johannesburg Water emphasized that these measures are necessary to ensure the sustainability of its services and infrastructure.
Challenges with Water Loss and Infrastructure
The disconnection drive comes amid ongoing challenges with Johannesburg’s water infrastructure. Recent outages in northern suburbs, caused by pumping issues near Northcliff and a major burst near the Sandton pump station, have left residents without water for days. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of frequent water supply disruptions across the city.
Nicole van Dyk, the DA’s former Shadow MMC for Infrastructure, highlighted that 46% of the city’s water is lost through leaks, burst pipes, and failing infrastructure. “An ineffective executive sank an effective entity by misaligning their priorities and ignoring the immediate and long-term needs of our city,” Van Dyk said in November. “A technical entity needs technical experts, not political elites running the show.”
The Broader Impact
Johannesburg Water’s disconnection drive underscores the financial strain on the city’s water infrastructure and the need for improved revenue collection. However, it also raises questions about the balance between enforcing payment and addressing systemic issues like water loss and infrastructure decay.
For residents, the disconnections and frequent outages highlight the urgent need for investment in water infrastructure and more effective management. As Johannesburg Water works to recover unpaid bills, the city must also prioritize long-term solutions to ensure reliable water supply for all.
What’s Next?
Johannesburg Water has vowed to continue its revenue collection efforts, targeting more customers with high outstanding bills in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the city faces the dual challenge of addressing immediate financial shortfalls and implementing sustainable infrastructure upgrades.
For now, the disconnection drive serves as a stark reminder of the importance of paying municipal bills and the broader issues facing Johannesburg’s water system. As the city works to resolve these challenges, residents and officials alike must collaborate to ensure a stable and reliable water supply for the future.
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