NO WATER in Johannesburg as South Africa’s president will open the legislature with his annual State of the Nation Address!

TODAY (12 February 2026), South Africa’s president will open the legislature with his annual State of the Nation Address, commonly referred to as SONA.

This is President Ramaphosa’s chance to reflect on the country’s politics, social safety nets and economy, as well as how this fits into a wider geopolitical context.

On Wednesday, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero announced a 10-point intervention plan aimed at cutting water use and restoring stability to the city’s struggling supply network.

A recent water crisis in Midrand has highlighted its fragilities and the growing strain on Johannesburg’s bulk supply system.

Morero’s “comprehensive and multifaceted” Water Demand Management programme is designed, among other things, to bring daily consumption down to 1 550 megalitres per day – in line with the city’s supply licence from Rand Water.

While demand has eased in recent months, Johannesburg remains one of the largest consumers of bulk water supplied by Rand Water.

The mayor’s 10-point water plan

Morero’s strategy combines immediate controls with longer-term infrastructure fixes. The key points include:

1 – Real-time monitoring of water use at district and household level.
2 – Partnerships with businesses to promote water-saving initiatives.
3 – Expanded public awareness campaigns to encourage reduced consumption.
4 – Night-time throttling to curb excessive use and limit system losses.
5 – Bulk meter restrictions in high-consumption zones.
6 – Intensified pressure management across the network.
7 – Advanced leak detection technology to identify hidden losses.
8 – Rapid-response repair teams to fix leaks faster.
9 – Smart metering and stricter by-law enforcement to tackle illegal connections and non-revenue water.
10 – Major infrastructure upgrades, including reservoir repairs, pipeline replacements and pump station refurbishments.
According to the mayor, these measures aim to curb wastage, protect supply and build long-term resilience.

Areas already affected

Communities supplied by the HH2 reservoir, including Melville, Westdene and Parktown West, have experienced disruptions linked to pressure constraints in the Commando system.

Technical teams are flushing networks, stabilising pressure and deploying water tankers where necessary.

Meanwhile, large-scale upgrades are under way in the Brixton, Crosby and Hursthill supply districts. These initiatives include building new reservoirs, installing modern pump stations, and refurbishing ageing infrastructure.

“These projects are expected to significantly improve capacity, operational flexibility, and resilience upon completion,” Morero said.