Gauteng residents are being urged to prepare for water supply interruptions as Rand Water and Eskom carry out planned critical maintenance at the Palmiet and Zuikerbosch sites.
The maintenance work is scheduled in phases, beginning on Friday, 29 May and concluding on 2 June for the initial activities. A second phase is set for 17 July, lasting approximately two days and ending on 19 July. Recovery periods will follow each phase, meaning the province will not experience a continuous 19-day water shutdown.
Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo clarified that water supply will not be completely cut off throughout the period. “We’re not saying throughout there will not be water,” Maroo stated. Some areas may face intermittent supply, low pressure, or no water for a few hours, while others could see minimal impact.
The work includes Eskom-related electrical maintenance at the Zuikerbosch purification plant, which supplies Rand Water’s four booster stations to municipalities. Additional activities involve upgrading the second B raw water engine room 4, replacing valves, and performing cross connections in the Mapleton system.
Maroo explained that the timing was chosen deliberately for winter, a traditionally low-demand period coinciding with school holidays when consumption drops. Coordinating with Eskom’s infrastructure work also minimises multiple disruptions.
Affected areas include the three major metros — City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni — as well as local municipalities such as Merafong, Rand West City, Mogale City, Rustenburg, and parts of the Royal Bafokeng Administration as well as Madibeng. Lesedi, Victor Khanye, Midvaal, Emfuleni, and other areas in the region, along with some mines, will also be impacted.
Rand Water has issued a 21-day notice to municipalities to develop contingency plans, including deploying roaming water tankers where necessary. “We have warned our municipalities… and asked them to come up with water tankers,” Maroo said. Municipalities are expected to communicate directly with residents.
Regarding system recovery, Rand Water anticipates about one week to refill and stabilise its network after maintenance ends, followed by another week for full normalisation within municipal reticulation systems. Ongoing communication will be used to manage expectations.
On concerns about Johannesburg Water’s financial challenges and reports of suspended tanker services due to unpaid bills, Maroo confirmed daily meetings with metros. “Johannesburg Water will make a plan in terms of having water tankers… They have made a commitment,” the spokesperson said. Negotiations with owing municipalities, involving National Treasury, are ongoing to ensure continued bulk supply.
Rand Water emphasised the importance of the maintenance for long-term reliability and urged residents to stay informed through updates from their municipalities.