Blame Game Over Johannesburg Water Crisis

Key Takeaways:

• Over 35,000 residents in Phumlamqashi informal settlement are affected by the disconnection of illegal water links to communal taps.
• Residents are forced to use alternative methods to access water, including wheelbarrows, hired cars, and the kindness of strangers.
• The water crisis in Phumlamqashi is exacerbated by historical deprivation, shoddy workmanship, and a lack of communication from Johannesburg Water.
• The city’s approach to addressing the issue is often heavy-handed, with a focus on disconnections and penalties rather than providing alternative solutions.
• The water crisis is not limited to Phumlamqashi, with other areas such as eMdeni also experiencing similar issues.

Introduction to the Water Crisis
The water crisis in Phumlamqashi informal settlement has reached a boiling point, with over 35,000 residents affected by the disconnection of illegal water links to communal taps. Despite the community’s reliance on these connections for over six years, Johannesburg Water officials sealed the pipes, leaving residents to fend for themselves. The situation has become desperate, with residents turning to wheelbarrows, hired cars, and the kindness of strangers to access water. The crisis has also had a significant impact on the daily lives of residents, with many struggling to afford the cost of transporting water and others forced to go without basic necessities like bathing.

Historical Deprivation and Shoddy Workmanship
The roots of the water crisis in Phumlamqashi can be traced back to historical deprivation and shoddy workmanship. Since the establishment of the settlement in 2017, there has never been formal water reticulation, forcing residents to connect illegally. Johannesburg Water’s approach to addressing the issue has been criticized as heavy-handed, with a focus on disconnections and penalties rather than providing alternative solutions. Residents point to the lack of communication and shoddy workmanship as catalysts for the growing crisis of illegal connections. For example, Vhengani Munyayi, a Soweto resident, noted that the cost of water is not the issue, but rather the lack of communication and engagement from Johannesburg Water.

Resistance and Generalization
The community’s resistance to the disconnections has been met with force, with law enforcement officers and private security deployed to the area. However, residents argue that the city’s approach is too broad, generalizing the issue and punishing those who are paying for water alongside those who are not. Munyayi emphasized the need for a more nuanced approach, exempting those who are paying for water from the disconnections and penalties. Dr. Ferrial Adam, executive manager of non-profit WaterCan, also stressed the importance of providing alternative solutions, noting that disconnections without alternatives are unacceptable.

Insufficient Budget and Civil Society Oversight
Johannesburg Water claims that it does not have enough budget to cover maintenance, capital expenditure, and fixing leaks. However, Dr. Adam argued that the city needs to prioritize water and sanitation, ringfencing funds to address the crisis. She also emphasized the need for civil society oversight, highlighting the importance of dealing with water leaks and addressing the issue of non-revenue water. With non-revenue water sitting at around 44%, the city is bleeding millions in revenue, and Dr. Adam argued that the priority should be to address this issue rather than targeting vulnerable communities.

Conclusion and Call to Action
The water crisis in Phumlamqashi and other areas of Johannesburg is a complex issue, driven by historical deprivation, shoddy workmanship, and a lack of communication. The city’s approach to addressing the issue has been criticized as heavy-handed, and residents are calling for a more nuanced approach that provides alternative solutions and prioritizes the needs of vulnerable communities. As Dr. Adam noted, the city needs to accept a portion of the blame for the crisis and work towards a solution that addresses the root causes of the issue. Ultimately, the provision of clean water is a basic human right, and it is the responsibility of the city to ensure that all residents have access to this essential resource.