The City of Johannesburg has urged communities to work together to prevent weather-related incidents this Spring.
Spring is considered the rainy season in the province.
“As the Spring rains return, I ask every resident to look after the places we call home.
“Every effort made by you to sweep and remove debris away from drains, report blockages, leaks and fallen trees or participate in neighbourhood cleanups, including helping people in distress, are little actions with a huge impact on keeping our city clean and safe.
“Let’s keep Johannesburg flowing in the right direction this rainy season to protect lives and property,” Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said.
Residents are encouraged to:
• Clear litter, leaves, and debris from their properties and surrounding areas after rainfall.
• Dispose of waste responsibly and avoid dumping rubbish into stormwater drains, streams, or open spaces.
• Refrain from disposing of and/or flushing foreign objects into sewage systems (toilets and domestic drains): items such as sanitary products, wipes, toys, or other solid materials can get lodged in sewer pipes, leading to blockages. In kitchen drains, the build-up of grease and fat over time can restrict the flow of sewage, leading to blockages.
• Report blocked drains, sewer spillages, flooded roads, and damaged infrastructure to the relevant City entities.
• Keep children away from stagnant water, flooded areas, rivers, dams, and open stormwater channels where the risk of drowning and waterborne diseases increases significantly.
• Join community clean-up initiatives that help prevent flooding and environmental pollution.
In a statement, the City assured that entities and departments are on the ground and “ready to respond” to any incidents this season.
“Joburg Water is responsible for maintaining water and sewer infrastructure, attending to bursts and leaks, ensuring the continued provision of safe and reliable drinking water and sanitation services to residents.
“Johannesburg Roads Agency monitors and maintains the City’s road infrastructure, stormwater systems, bridges, culverts, and drainage networks to reduce flooding risks and keep roads safe and accessible,” said the City.
It further added that in the event of severe weather, regional standby teams are in place to monitor and respond to flooded areas, prioritising hazards based on their severity and the availability of resources.
The following preparedness measures have been put in place:
• Regional Standby Teams: Each region has been allocated a dedicated standby team, equipped with jetvac machines and excavators, ready to assist with rapid road clearing and debris removal.
• Kerb Inlet Cleaning: Across all regions, teams are actively cleaning blocked kerb inlets with jetvacs to ensure maximum water runoff.
• Bridge Maintenance: Regional teams will undertake desilting (the removal of suspended silt) and clear rubble from bridges, in strict adherence to environmental law requirements.
City Power, together with other departments, is also on alert.
“Rainy and colder weather may increase electricity demand and affect restoration work due to unsafe or difficult site conditions. Customers are encouraged to reduce unnecessary electricity use, while City Power teams continue attending to outages as safely and quickly as conditions allow.
“The City’s Disaster Management Centre has finalised its disaster risk reduction and preparedness plans for the 2026 summer campaign. Environment and Infrastructure Services focuses on protecting the City's natural environment by monitoring pollution, maintaining river systems and wetlands, promoting environmental awareness, and supporting clean and healthy communities.
“Pikitup plays a critical role in collecting waste, removing illegal dumping, and keeping public spaces clean to prevent litter from entering stormwater systems and causing blockages,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za
