Johannesburg officials opened the new Brixton reservoir and tower this week, a year behind schedule. The project improves water pressure in the Commando system but leaves 43 other reservoirs still leaking across the city.
The Brixton reservoir and tower was due for completion by March 2025 but faced delays from late contractor payments. Since opening it has delivered better flow and pressure for six weeks in parts of the Commando system.
City data shows Johannesburg has 129 reservoirs and towers, of which 43 leak through walls or pipes. Johannesburg Water estimates it would cost R1.25 billion to fix them all and plans to repair 15 this year for R652 million.
Mayor Dada Morero said at the opening, “One project does not solve everything. But it is part of a bigger programme to restore reliability, rebuild confidence and improve the quality of services across the city.”
Non-revenue water stood at 48.7 percent in December 2025, with 26.3 percent lost through leaks and bursts. Johannesburg Water manages assets valued at R127 billion but notes investment levels remain below those of 15 years ago.