We have gathered important contact numbers and emails to help you report problems to your local municipality. If you can't get through or feel your report isn’t being logged, try reaching out to your ward councillor or community groups. Stay patient, be polite and always ask for a reference number.

You can make sure our city services work well. It's important to report issues like potholes, power cuts, water leaks, or fallen trees. Following up and taking more steps if needed can help fix these issues.

Water problems you can report

• Blocked and overflowing sewers/drains
• Burst water pipes and leaks
• Leaking fire hydrants
• Missing, damaged water valves or meter covers
• No water
• Sewerage
• Streams and rivers
• Toilets in townships/informal settlements

Contact Joburg Water

• Call: 0860 562 874 / 011 688 1699
• SMS line: 45201
• Email: customer@jwater.co.za
• Facebook: Johannesburg Water
• Twitter: @JHBWater

Sanitation and waste disposal issues you can report

• Clearing public bins
• Illegal dumping
• Landfill site management
• Rubbish collection
• Rubble collection
• Waste management
• Wheelie bins

Contact details for Pikitup

• Call: 0860 562 874 option 4
• Illegal dumping WhatsApp: 082 779 1361

The City of Joburg is working on making their general fault reporting options more effective. For now, it’s best to contact the specific department as listed above.

When reporting an issue, make sure you get a reference number, let your neighbourhood group know that you have reported the problem, and share the reference number on the group.

Remember that if the issue is not fixed, then you and your neighbours should follow up. The more you follow up, the more likely it is to get fixed.

Reported and still no luck? Click here to see what you can do next.

Source: City of Joburg

Photograph credit: ADB.org - Nathan Dumlao

Get your community involved

Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.

Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.

How to set up a community group

How to start a WhatsApp group

How to start a residents' association

How to set up a community policing forum

How to set up a neighbourhood watch

How to organise community action

How to use media to create pressure for change

Know your rights – how local government works

It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how.