The 2025/26 financial year marks a moment of renewal and opportunity for Johannesburg Water, signalling a decisive shift towards reliable, sustainable, and high-quality water and sanitation services for all residents and businesses in the City of Johannesburg.
With strengthened leadership and a clear mandate anchored in the Service Delivery Agreement, the entity enters this new period fully aligned with the Government of Local Unity’s Mayoral Priorities.
Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala says the organisation’s business plan is rooted in the Growth and Development Strategy 2040, the Integrated Development Plan 2021–26, the 2025/26 SDBIP, and the political priorities guiding the City’s development.
“This alignment positions Johannesburg Water not only to restore declining services but to meaningfully contribute to economic growth, job creation, and social upliftment,” she says.
Over the coming year, Johannesburg Water will roll out a series of interconnected strategic interventions designed to deliver long-term stability and improved service delivery. A major focus is the expansion of infrastructure projects that will simultaneously support local businesses, stimulate investment, and create employment—particularly through the Expanded Public Works Programme and targeted support for SMMEs.
The rollout of essential infrastructure will ensure that more households, especially those in underserved and informal areas, gain access to minimum Level of Service 1 for water and sanitation, improving reliability and dignity for thousands of residents.
Shabalala highlights that environmental sustainability is also central to the entity’s approach, with renewed efforts to minimise pollution and protect natural resources. At the same time, Johannesburg Water will focus on improving customer satisfaction through enhanced communication, quicker response times, and more efficient operations.
Strengthening financial management, governance, and internal controls remains a core priority, ensuring the organisation remains financially stable and capable of sustaining the improvements it delivers. Technology will play a crucial role in modernising processes and enhancing operational efficiency across the company. Internally, Johannesburg Water is committed to investing in its workforce by attracting and developing skilled talent while fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
“Adding to the significance of this financial year is Johannesburg’s role as host of this week’s G20 Summit. With global leaders, policymakers, and business delegates descending on the city, the reliability of municipal services—including water and sanitation—will be under intense international scrutiny,” notes Shabalala.
She adds that this presents an opportunity for Johannesburg Water to demonstrate resilience, operational excellence, and the strength of the City’s infrastructure. “The summit underscores the essential role that dependable water services play in supporting public health, economic activity, and investor confidence. A smoothly executed G20 event will highlight Johannesburg as a capable, world-class city and reinforce the progress being made under its renewed leadership,” she says.
Shabalala stresses the urgency of these efforts, noting that years of underinvestment, declining financial performance, and service deterioration have placed Johannesburg’s water and sanitation systems under strain. The 2025/26 Business Plan responds directly to these challenges through focused strategic action and a commitment to rebuilding public trust.
With its comprehensive programme for renewal, Johannesburg Water is set to restore service reliability, strengthen infrastructure, support economic growth, and secure the city’s long-term water future. This financial year stands as a turning point—one defined by tangible progress, strengthened partnerships, and a renewed vision for a resilient and thriving Johannesburg.
Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph