 Furthermore, the portion of households with access to basic water supply increased from 52% in 1999 to 88% in 2009.In formalised urban areas, 24-hour supply has been extended to 82% of households, up from 37% in 1999.In January 2001, the city of Johannesburg established the municipal company Johannesburg Water and subsequently signed a management contract with Water and Sanitation Services South Africa (WSSA), a joint venture between Suez (ex-Lyonnaise des Eaux), its subsidiary Northumbrian Water Group and the South African company Group 5.