Midrand water hope on hold as Erand project stalls

Tags

---

15-05-2026
Read : 5 times
Midrand Reporter
Source

The multi-million-rand Erand tower and pump station project was expected to ease pressure on Midrand’s strained water network, but funding delays have stopped work, with the project almost complete.

After months of water outages left many Midrand residents frustrated earlier this year, hopes were raised, when government officials visited the area, assuring communities that relief was on the way through major infrastructure upgrades, including the Erand tower and pump station project.

Months later, however, those hopes appear to be fading, after the multi-million-rand project was temporarily halted despite being close to completion.

Read more: Unstable water supply forces Region A residents to rely on water tankers

“The project has been temporarily suspended following the exhaustion of the approved contract budget,” said Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala.

“Proceeding beyond the allocated amount would have constituted unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure, which the entity is legally obligated to prevent.”

Johannesburg Water invested approximately R92m into the infrastructure project, which is intended to increase water supply capacity in Midrand and support the existing Erand reservoir complex. Once completed, the project is expected to improve water supply in areas such as Carlswald, Blue Hills, Kyalami, and Barbeque Downs, among others.

The current Midrand water system includes the Erand reservoir site, which consists of a 25ML reservoir, a 9ML reservoir, and a pump station. Water is currently pumped from the 9ML reservoir to a smaller 0.5ML elevated water tower, standing 30m above ground, to provide sufficient water pressure to surrounding communities.

The new development includes the construction of a 30m high reinforced concrete water tower with a 2ML capacity. The project scope also includes the construction of a new pump station equipped with four pumps, each with a 37m head, drawing water from the existing 25ML reservoir and supplying both the old and new water towers.

Additional work includes the installation of inlet and outlet pipelines, telemetry systems, cathodic protection, standby power supply, lightning protection, new manholes and chambers, as well as paving around the facility.

“The budget depletion resulted from several unforeseen and unavoidable implementation challenges,” Shabalala said, “including the discovery and specialised removal of asbestos-bearing material, environmental approval delays, unanticipated project cost escalations, and additional piling works required following changes to the site’s founding conditions.”

She further explained that because the additional funding required exceeds the 20% contract variation threshold allowed under MFMA Circular 62, Johannesburg Water had to initiate a Section 116(3) process in line with the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act.

“This process includes a 30-day public participation process and the necessary municipal governance approvals. Subject to the successful conclusion and approval of this process, the contractor will be instructed to resume work on-site. The reinstatement and completion process is estimated to take approximately three months.”

The temporary suspension has drawn criticism from local leaders and residents who have endured recurring water shortages in recent years due to rapid development and increasing demand in Midrand.
Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe described the situation as deeply concerning.

“Especially after high-profile visits and assurances from Panyaza Lesufi and even the deputy president, Paul Mashatile, who committed to addressing Midrand’s water challenges, we now see budgets being pulled from critical infrastructure projects, including a water tower that is reportedly 99% complete.”

Deppe said residents were justified in questioning why promises were made without secured funding.
Grab a copy of Midrand Reporter to read more.