As the effects of El Niño place additional pressure on the region’s water resources and supply systems, Johannesburg Water is strengthening its interventions to manage demand and safeguard the stability of water supply across the City of Johannesburg.
What is El Niño?
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that can contribute to hotter and drier conditions in southern Africa, increasing the risk of reduced rainfall and placing greater pressure on available water resources. According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, these circumstances can put further strain on already scarce water supplies, making responsible water use even more crucial. During these periods, water demand increases as water consumption rises concurrently. The South African Weather Services (SAWS) reported that 2027 will probably be the warmest year ever recorded due to global warming and the anticipated extremely powerful El Niño of 2026 – 2027. “The latest predictions are indicative that the El Niño will likely intensify further to become the strongest event in living memory. The latest seasonal forecast of the South African Weather Service for the October to December 2026 period indicates that below-normal rainfall is the most likely outcome over most of South Africa,” the SAWS wrote in a statement. For Johannesburg Water, increased demand adds an additional challenge to an already strained water supply system, and managing the available water resources efficiently will be critical to maintaining a reliable water supply across the City of Johannesburg. Johannesburg Water is strengthening interventions While residents are encouraged to take responsibility for their consumption, Johannesburg Water is also increasing its interventions to counteract the potential effects of El Niño and periods of elevated water demand.
“The Entity is focusing on active management of the water supply system, using a range of interventions to balance available water resources with demand,” says Johannesburg Water Senior Operations Manager, Randhir Singh.
These measures include the management of reservoir levels and the implementation of throttling and restrictions where necessary at reservoirs, pump stations, and in informal settlements. Johannesburg Water is also strengthening pressure management across the network to optimise the available water and reduce unnecessary losses. “The Entity is further prioritising the repair of water leaks and bursts, including addressing both the existing backlog and newly reported incidents. First-line response interventions are also being strengthened to ensure that operational challenges are attended to as quickly as possible.” These interventions form part of Johannesburg Water’s broader efforts to improve the resilience and sustainability of the City’s water supply system. However, increased demand cannot be managed by Johannesburg Water alone.How can residents help?
Every drop saved helps reduce pressure on the water supply system and ensures that available water can be distributed more effectively to communities. Residents can contribute by:- Repairing on-property leaks on taps, toilets, and pipes. Did you know that
- Turning off taps while brushing teeth, shaving or washing dishes (a running tap can waste up to 6 litres of water per minute).
- Avoiding washing vehicles and paved areas with running water (use grey- or rainwater instead), and using buckets rather than hoses when washing vehicles or cleaning.
- Watering gardens in the early morning before 06:00 or evening after 18:00.
- Avoiding overfilling swimming pools and covering pools to reduce evaporation.
