Programmes and projects

Operation Gcin’amanzi

Operation Gcin’amanzi – meaning to conserve water – is a one of Johannesburg Water’s flagship programmes.

The R800-million project aims to improve service delivery throughout Soweto over a five-year period. This is being done by ensuring that water loss, privately and within the municipal network, is substantially reduced. It also involves the continuous repairs of private plumbing fixtures and the installation of freepay water meters on individual properties.

Over 90 000 freepay meters have been installed since the project started, 54 percent of the total 169 969 meters to be installed. The cumulative savings on water loss since the start of the project in 2003 is 64 139 megalitres or R189,6-million.

Local communities have been consulted through education campaigns, discussions with local councillors and public meetings, with more than 86 percent of the targeted consumers signing up for freepay meters.

By the end of 2008 further water losses should be dramatically reduced through the installation of district water pressure regulating valves and the refurbishment of faulty reservoir outlet meters.
 

Under Project Thonifho all informal settlements across Johannesburg are to get basic water and sanitation services.

Thonifho, a TshiVenda word meaning respect and dignity, was launched in October 2006 with the aim of restoring dignity to informal settlement communities by eradicating water and sanitation backlogs through the implementation of basic sanitation (supplying ventilated improved pit latrines) and basic water (providing communal standpipes) projects.

It is Johannesburg Water's aim is to ensure that every household has at least a basic level of service until the high level of service for everyone in formal areas is provided.

The four year project aims to eradicate the backlog in the provision of water by 2008 and the backlog in the provision of sanitation by 2010. During the 2008/9 financial year, Johannesburg Water intends installing about 30 000 ventilated improved pit latrines and 20 000 communal stand pipes.

Northern Works upgrade

With the growth and growing densification in the area over the past 10 years, with farmland and smallholdings being transformed into housing developments and office parks, pressure has been placed on the existing infrastructure.

Although the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works is the largest in the city, the growth in wastewater flow in the Northern Works drainage basin – from Roodepoort in the west to the Hillbrow ridge in the south – means that the treatment works will need additional capacity by the end of 2008.

This expansion project will see the provision of first-class wastewater treatment catering for any increased demand in capacity.

The design and construction includes the use of the most modern equipment, machinery and technology.

The project has been designed in three phases, with each phase providing an increase of 460 megalitres a day to the capacity.

Phase three will see the completion of Unit 5, and will be done when is needed before 2025. Unit 5 will provide an extra capacity of 150 mega-litres a day. This will cost some R450-million.

Accredited training has been provided to 164 technical staff, most from historically disadvantaged groups. Of the 381 people employed on this project, 171 are from the local communities, 23 woman and 146 young men. A community liaison officer has been employed to assist with the employment of the local labourers. 
 

Diepsloot water supply

Diepsloot is supplied by the Olivedale reservoir system, 27km west of the township. However, the rapid growth in Diepsloot and its environs since 2000 had placed a burden on the existing water infrastructure.

To tackle this, Johannesburg Water and Rand Water signed a joint venture agreement in March 2006 to build a bulk supply pipeline from Pretoriusrand to Diepsloot at a cost of about R11-million.

The project had to take into account:
• The relocation of about 100 households on the pipeline route;
• The position of the local cemetery;
• Educating residents about the need to lay pipes on their properties; and
• The flood-line level of the water table.

This new pipeline benefits some 50 000 households.

Water Festival

Johannesburg Water stages an annual Water Festival to promote awareness about water use and conservation.

The festival, one of the major events on the City's calendar, takes place every April. The main objectives are to promote Johannesburg Water’s public education programmes, raise awareness on water and sanitation issues, and promote the visibility of municipal services.

Key aspects of the festival include open days for school learners, on-site educational activities, service provider exhibitions, non-governmental organisations information sharing sessions, and a fun walk.

For more information contact Puleng Mopeli, the communications officer for special projects, on 011 688 1601, or by email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Tappie Road Show

The Tappie Road Show is a fun educational project for primary school children, aimed at teaching the children about the importance of saving water.

The message is passed on to the youngsters by Johannesburg Water’s mascot Tappie, a memorable, larger-than-life character.

Topics covered on the road shows the need to appreciate the need to conserve water, issues of sanitation, and the importance of reporting burst pipes. At the end of each session Tappie asks the youngsters questions and rewards their attentiveness with small gifts from Johannesburg Water.

The Tappie Road Shows are held every Tuesday and Thursday in primary schools. Tappie will also be putting in an appearance at local shopping malls during school holidays.