Joburg targets R13 billion investment to salvage ageing water infrastructure

The City of Johannesburg says it’s embarking on an ambitious plan to raise R13 billion to address its ageing water infrastructure.

Earlier on Wednesday, the municipality unveiled a new 26 megalitre reservoir in Brixton.

The municipality said this will strengthen capacity issues in the Johannesburg West area and address long-standing water issues largely caused by ageing infrastructure.

Like most major municipalities, the City of Johannesburg has an issue of ageing infrastructure.

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The municipality currently replaces about 17 kilometres of its water pipes per year, which is far below the national requirement of 175 kilometres.

Speaking at the launch of the Brixton water reservoir, Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero said, as the most populated city in the country, the municipality has a number of competing needs.

“We have an ambitious programme right now to raise about R 13-billion with the intention to invest it in the pipe replacement programme, which will also include a sewer pipe replacement programme. We are working, of course, with different financial institutions, including the Development Bank of South Africa.”

Morero said if the R17-billion is raised, the municipality will be able to replace about 2,000 kilometres of its 12,000-kilometre water pipe network.