South Africa’s major metros, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban, are tackling water repair and maintenance operations this month as they try to keep its ageing infrastructure afloat while balancing supply disruptions, illegal connections, and financial instability.

While challenges differ from city to city, underinvestment, water losses and increasing demand have pushed municipalities into a constant state of crisis management.

Cape Town

From Tuesday until November 5, the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Department will start its planned maintenance. It is expected to affect neighbourhoods from Kuils River to Fish Hoek, Delft, and Woodstock.

Residents have been warned to store water in advance, as scheduled shut-offs could last up to ten hours in some areas. The city’s water team will conduct pipe and valve installations, replacements, and leak repairs.

In a statement, the City of Cape Town said: "The aim is to ensure the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted-for water.”

Maintenance work will include zero-pressure tests and conditional assessments, which temporarily disrupt supply but aimed at identifying weak points in the network and prevent future bursts.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg seeks to solve its water crisis believed to be a result of illegal connections, non-payment, and decaying infrastructure. These issues have sparked protests in areas such as Westbury and Coronationville.

In a recent media briefing, City of Joburg Mayor Dada Morero unveiled a turnaround strategy aimed at restoring reliability and financial sustainability to the city’s water utility.

“One of the most significant developments,” Morero said, “is the ringfencing of Johannesburg Water as a trading entity, ensuring greater accountability and efficiency.”

The move, supported by the Presidency and National Treasury, allows the utility to manage its own finances and revenue collection.

As part of enforcement efforts, three informal settlements have already been disconnected from illegal water networks. The city is also partnering with the private sector to drill boreholes in high-demand areas and rehabilitate reservoirs and wastewater treatment plants.

Durban

Meanwhile, Durban’s eThekwini Municipality is also waging what it calls a “war on leaks.” Earlier this month, the city’s Water and Sanitation Department isolated the Northern Aqueduct, one of its main supply pipelines, to repair a major leak near Piesang River and three smaller leaks further down the line.

The shutdown, which lasted 27 hours, affected thousands of residents and businesses in areas such as Phoenix, KwaMashu, Umhlanga, and Durban North.

Municipal spokespersons described the repair operation as essential to reduce water losses

The city has allocated R40 million in its 2025/26 budget to fix 22 pipelines prone to frequent bursts.

Municipal statistics show that in just over a year, more than 1,000 bursts and leaks were repaired across three wards — a sign of both progress and deep-rooted decay.

City officials across all metros have urged residents to store water in advance of planned shut-offs, use clean sealed containers, and report leaks promptly.

*This article was first published by IOL News