Johannesburg Water

About Johannesburg Water

Johannesburg Water is a municipal entity owned entirely by the City of Johannesburg. It began operating in 2001 and supplies the city with drinking water and sanitation services. Its network of treatment works, reservoirs and pipelines serves millions of residents and businesses. The head office is in the Turbine Hall in Newtown.

Much of this infrastructure is old, and the city keeps growing. Consequently, the utility needs a steady supply of qualified engineers to maintain, repair and expand its systems. Funding students is one way it builds that skills base.

How Johannesburg Water supports students

The bursary programme focuses on engineering fields that match the utility's daily work. Recent calls have funded BSc studies in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering at Gauteng universities. Examples include Wits, the University of Johannesburg, the University of Pretoria, Tshwane University of Technology and Vaal University of Technology. The number of awards is small, with only a few places per field in a recent intake.

The bursary covers tuition fees, residence and a cash allowance. Students may also take part in paid vacation work. This gives them practical exposure to water and sanitation operations before they graduate. In practice, vacation work can also help bursars build a professional network.

Awards are based on academic merit and financial need. Preference has been given to women and to students with disabilities.

What to know before applying

Applicants must be South African citizens with a matric certificate. Recent calls have been aimed at students already in their second year or higher of full-time study. In addition, you should not hold another bursary, although NSFAS funding has been allowed.

The application normally includes a completed form, certified copies of your ID and academic record, proof of registration, parental documents and proof of household income. Each field has had its own email address for submissions, and closing dates have fallen in January. However, dates and requirements change, so check the official Johannesburg Water website or call the company before applying.

Bursars should expect a service commitment. Johannesburg Water has been described as requiring graduates to work for the utility for the same number of years it funded their studies. Even so, the exact contract terms are not published in detail, so read your agreement carefully. Finally, remember that this scheme is for engineering only, so students in other fields should look elsewhere.

Students who want to work in the water sector should also look at other utilities and municipalities. Rand Water and other water boards fund engineering study too. Applying to several providers improves your chances, because each programme has only a few places.