South Africa: Air and Water Pollution Harming Joburg's Poorest Communities

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing a GroundUp report dated 30 July 2026, says recent research by the Gauteng City-Region Observatory found widespread pollution-related harm across Johannesburg, with poorer communities most affected. The survey of 4,436 residents found about one in five households reported harm from air pollution, roughly a quarter from water and sewage pipe bursts, and one in ten from water pollution.

The report highlights Kya Sand informal settlement in Randburg, where residents live near smouldering illegal dumps and the polluted North Riding stream. GroundUp reported that children play near burning waste made up of materials such as plastic, rubber and insulation. City spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said air pollution remains a major environmental challenge, linked to waste and biomass burning, industrial activity, vehicle emissions and mining. The report says city monitoring has found particulate matter periodically above national standards, while data cited for Kya Sand in July 2026 showed pollution exceeded acceptable limits during 65% of monitored hours.

GroundUp also reported severe pressure on Johannesburg’s waterways, including the Jukskei and Klip rivers, from sewage failures, industrial and urban runoff, illegal dumping and mining-related contamination. Johannesburg’s Green Drop audit score reportedly fell from 91% in 2011 to 49% in 2025, with half of the city’s six wastewater treatment works described as being in a critical state.

According to the article, Johannesburg Water recorded 1,659 sewage plant spillages in 2024/25 and is pursuing a R64-billion turnaround plan, including annual pipe replacement, sewer upgrades, technical recruitment and wastewater works refurbishments. The issue matters because failing environmental infrastructure and uneven exposure to pollution deepen health and service-delivery burdens in communities already shaped by income and spatial inequality.