Looming challenges for Brixton Reservoir

Johannesburg Water is making significant strides in its infrastructure projects, particularly the Brixton Reservoir and Tower, and the upgrades to the Crosby Pump Station.

Brixton Reservoir

Ward 87 councillor Kyle Jacobs alongside Ward Committee member for Infrastructure Jonathan Thompson Ward said during a recent oversight visit on September 12, the project manager confirmed that while the project was progressing well, it was slightly behind schedule, about 5% off the target timeframe.

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Project manager Nqobizitha Ndimande said the project was expected to be completed by June 2025, provided there were no unforeseen delays.

“The construction teams were currently focused on preparing scaffolding around the water tower to facilitate the building of the tank atop the column, as well as preparing the pump station site,” said Ndimande.

He added the new reservoir would include a 26 million litre ground reservoir, a 2 million litre tower, and a 400l/s pump station, which will significantly enhance water supply to the surrounding areas.

He said these upgrades would include the construction of a 600mm diameter rising mains from the Crosby Reservoir to the Hursthill Reservoir, as well as an overhaul of the existing pump station.

According to the spokesperson for Johannesburg Water Nombuso Shabalala, the Brixton Reservoir and Tower project was currently at 55% completion.

Despite the progress, the project encountered challenges including ‘unsuitable physical conditions and the need to relocate existing utilities such as telecommunication and power cables’. “These issues have contributed to the project falling behind schedule,” said Shabalala.

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Crosby Pump Station

Shabalala confirmed that the construction for the Crosby Pump Station will commence in March 2025 and that the tender for the Crosby Pump Station upgrades is currently being finalised and will be announced in December 2024.

“The new pump station located at the Crosby Reservoir complex will deliver at least 200l/s to improve supply to the existing Hursthill 1 and 2 Reservoirs. There would also be the construction of a new 600mm diameter rising mains from the Crosby Reservoir to the Hursthill Reservoir,” he said.

Furthermore, Ndimande said the pump station, which had been operational since the 1960s, would be upgraded. “The new pump station at the Crosby Reservoir complex is designed to deliver at least 200 litres per second to improve supply to the existing Hursthill 1 and 2 Reservoirs,” he added.

The Brixton Reservoir and Tower and the Crosby Pump Station upgrades are crucial components of the city’s water supply strategy, aimed at supporting the growing needs of the community.

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Related article: Johannesburg Water gives a glimpse into the new Brixton reservoir and tower construction project