Johannesburg Water is strengthening its water demand management efforts in Soweto through technology, education and community collaboration – helping residents detect leaks, install water-saving devices and protect precious infrastructure.

“Water demand management is absolutely crucial to ensuring the sustainability of water supply,” explains Xolisa Bonkolo, senior engineering technician, Johannesburg Water. Speaking at Water Wise’s Drop-by-Drop Water Conservation Outreach Project, he highlighted the need for collective responsibility in conserving water resources.

“Community participation is essential – residents are often the first to notice a burst pipe or a leaking street valve.”

In Soweto – one of the city’s oldest and most water-challenged regions – the utility is rolling out several initiatives to detect and repair leaks. Non-visible leaks are detected through advanced acoustic and pressure monitoring technologies. “We search for leaks that are not visible and repair them quickly. But many leaks are first reported by residents themselves,” explains Bonkolo.

Residents of the City of Johannesburg can report a water leak:

• Phone: 086 056 2874 or 011 688 1699
• SMS: 45201

Bonkolo adds that is important to receive a reference number so that the turnaround time taken to attend to a complaint can be tracked. “Within the Soweto region, we’re working hard to fix every leak – not just because of wasted water, but because leaks also damage roads and even nearby houses,”. Every report helps protect both infrastructure and homes.”

Johannesburg Water are also educating and encouraging residents to replace ageing fittings, use water-efficient devices to restrict flow in toilets and showers and utilise rainwater harvesting to water the garden and flush toilets. “We have also installed prepaid water meters. Water meters are an essential tool in managing leaks, and these prepaid meters often save residents money as they will pay for their actual water use and not depend on estimates that can be inaccurate,” he adds.