The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has assured that, despite the widespread water challenges being experienced across the region, there is no ‘Day Zero’ and the water system, while under pressure, is stable.

Increasingly, there have been concerns and reports over a potential ‘Day Zero’ and that the city is facing a scenario of a complete system failure where water can no longer be supplied, a narrative that the CoJ dismissed in a statement issued on Tuesday.

“We want to state clearly and unequivocally: Johannesburg is not at Day Zero. Johannesburg continues to receive and distribute water across the city.”

However, the CoJ concedes that the system remains under significant pressure owing to high demand, infrastructure constraints and ongoing supply challenges.

From the Midrand, Central and Commando systems through to the Soweto system, Johannesburg Water has been experiencing water supply constraints, with critically low reservoirs, low supply, declining pressure and, in many cases, complete outages, for days or weeks.

“Localised interruptions and pressure management do not mean the system has failed. They are necessary steps to protect reservoirs and maintain broader supply across the city.”

The Johannesburg Water Commando System remains constrained, and some areas may experience low pressure to intermittent supply while technical interventions continue.

The Crosby reservoir is low but supplying, however, residents will experience poor pressure to no water in some zones.

The Brixton 1 and 2 reservoirs were both supplying water, albeit low, with poor pressure expected, while the Brixton 1 Tower was also low but supplying, with poor pressure to no water expected.

The Hursthill 1 and 2 reservoirs were on bypass, with poor pressure to no water expected in affected areas.

“These are localised system management measures, not a collapse of the network,” the CoJ assured.

As part of long-term system stabilisation, planned maintenance and structural repairs to a leaking reservoir are being undertaken until April 2026 in Region B, impacting Melville, Emmarentia, Richmond, Greenside, Westdene, Westcliff, Auckland Park and Parktown West. Supply is provided through a bypass during the repair period.

Unplanned maintenance is being experienced in Region E, where Johannesburg Water teams are attending to a burst pipe on 1st Road, Linbro Park.

Supply in the immediate area has been isolated to allow repairs and some residents may experience low pressure to no water during this period.

Amid this, reports emerged this week over striking Johannesburg Water employees.

Johannesburg Water on Tuesday reported that an unprotected strike involving the South African Municipal Workers Union started on February 6, without following the legally required process. This placed further strain on the system.

By February 10, the utility said that normal operations resumed after workers ended the strike.

According to the CoJ, to intensify coordination and fast-track interventions, an Intergovernmental Water War Room has been established, bringing together the CoJ, Rand Water, Gauteng provincial government and national stakeholders.

“This structure is actively monitoring the system in real time, coordinating technical responses, accelerating repairs, and implementing demand-management measures to stabilise supply and protect critical infrastructure.”

Meanwhile, the CoJ urged residents to reduce water consumption immediately and comply with current restrictions.

“Excessive use, especially during peak periods, places avoidable strain on the system and increases the risk of wider outages.