Johannesburg Water has issued an urgent advisory to residents in sections of the city’s Central Business District and the Bezuidenhout Valley, warning them not to consume tap water due to possible contamination. The utility acted after receiving multiple complaints earlier this week about water emitting a strong, unusual odor.
The warning remains in effect pending the outcome of ongoing water quality tests and investigations. Officials have moved to isolate the affected areas while they work to identify the source of the problem.
Dr. Ferrial Adam, Executive Manager of the organization WaterCAN, provided context on the incident in a New Year’s Eve interview. While acknowledging public concern, Dr. Adam sought to allay widespread panic, describing the situation as an isolated anomaly.
“I don’t think that the whole of Joburg needs to panic,” Dr. Adam stated. “In general, our water is of very good quality in Johannesburg. Rand Water provides the water. We have good water, and so we will have isolated incidences. What is important is that… Joburg Water acts when that does happen.”
She praised the utility’s response to this specific incident as swift and appropriate. “I think that they reacted pretty speedily,” she said, contrasting it with other, unnamed areas where her organization had to pressure municipalities to conduct tests after similar complaints just before Christmas.
Dr. Adam outlined the standard protocol being followed: Johannesburg Water was alerted to the issue, is conducting tests, and has advised residents in the impacted zones to stop drinking the water while providing alternatives. The results of the tests will determine the next steps.
She explained that such localized issues can arise from corroding or broken pipes, which can introduce contamination into a specific line. Johannesburg has approximately 87 reservoirs and water towers, and the system-wide risk remains low.
“The water in your taps at the moment in Johannesburg is still safe to drink,” Dr. Adam emphasized. “I drink it all the time. But you know, if there’s something wrong, you will be able to see it.”
While addressing the immediate crisis, Dr. Adam also highlighted broader, systemic challenges facing the city’s water infrastructure. She identified the most urgent reform as the need to secure dedicated funding for Johannesburg Water.
“If we don’t have Joburg Water having control over the budget that they need, they’re not going to be able to fix pipes, they’re not going to be able to fix reservoirs,” she explained, citing payment issues with contractors last year as a major disruption to maintenance and projects like the Brixton reservoir.
Looking toward long-term sustainability, Dr. Adam advocated for reducing dependence on the aging network through widespread adoption of greywater systems in new developments and by residents. She noted that Johannesburg loses an estimated 27% of its water through leaks, a rate that undermines any sustainable system.
“We still flush… good quality drinking water down the toilet, which is actually atrocious,” she said. “We have to look at how we as citizens start collecting water that we use as grey water for our gardens and try to be more mindful.”
Johannesburg Water has stated it will publicly release the test results and provide further updates as the investigation progresses. Residents in the affected areas are advised to use alternative water sources for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth until the all-clear is given.