To effectively manage water demand and minimise losses while ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply, one of Johannesburg Water‘s key initiatives is the Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) Programme.
This programme, part of Johannesburg Water’s ongoing Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Programme (WCWDM), is designed to alleviate strain on the city’s water supply networks. A critical component of this effort is the maintenance and management of PRVs.
This initiative focuses on reinstating and refurbishing conventional pressure reducing valves that are currently non-operational due to vandalism and technical faults.
“Additionally, the organisation plans to install smart pressure controllers on key network zonal PRVs. These controllers will help manage pressure more effectively, reducing the incidence of bursts and leaks. Together, these interventions aim to lower high pressures in the system, decreasing minimum night flows and water losses,” explains Logan Munsamy, senior manager for WCWDM and Technical Metering.
The WCWDM Programme also addresses other issues, such as leaking reservoirs, on-property customer leaks, and the ageing infrastructure that contributes to water loss. Johannesburg Water aims to reduce water demand by 37,123 million litres per annum through these technical interventions, complemented by its water conservation initiatives.
“PRVs are essential components of the water supply system. Installed inline within pipelines, they regulate downstream pressure to ensure a consistent water supply over long distances, even pipes of varying diameters. Proper pressure management not only ensures efficient distribution, but also helps reduce physical losses, especially in older infrastructure. Therefore, maintaining PRVs is a critical focus area.”
Pressure reducing valves aid in the fight against water losses.
Each region in Johannesburg Water’s Networks Department conducts PRV maintenance with a dedicated special services team, led by an operations manager and skilled artisan fitters, responsible for both reactive and preventative maintenance of PRVs. Given the valuable materials used in PRVs, such as brass and copper, securing these components is vital to prevent theft and vandalism.
Johannesburg Water currently operates a total of 730 PRVs within the network. However, some of these valves are bypassed due to vandalism or require some maintenance and repairs. To address this, the company has established a framework contract to procure spare parts, enabling its teams to repair and reinstate PRVs more efficiently. In addition, the entity is implementing a project to install smart controllers in high consumption PRV zones. In the 2023/24 Financial Year, 15 units were installed, with plans underway to install an additional 12 units in the current fiscal year.
Through its PRV Programme and other initiatives, Johannesburg Water is dedicated to enhancing water management, minimising losses, and providing a reliable water supply for all residents.
