Rand Water has initiated a critical winter maintenance campaign targeting its bulk water infrastructure, with spokesperson Makenosi Maroo confirming that fully stocked reservoirs should prevent immediate supply disruptions for consumers.
The first phase of the extensive, phased maintenance program began this morning and will continue through June 2nd. A second phase is scheduled for July 17–19, after which the utility expects the system to fully stabilize.
Maroo outlined the scope of work, which includes Eskom-coordinated electrical maintenance, installation of new valves, upgrades to a motor in Engine Room 4, and essential interventions on the Palmiet system—a cornerstone of Rand Water’s distribution network. “We have all the parts that we need, we have the schedule that we need, and we are assuring residents that within the 96 hours we’ve planned, we will be done,” Maroo said.
While the initial 24-hour period is expected to proceed without major issues due to pre-filled reservoirs, pressure fluctuations and intermittent outages may emerge as the maintenance progresses. High-lying areas are anticipated to feel effects sooner and will be the last to recover once work concludes. Maroo appealed to residents to avoid panic-driven stockpiling, advising households to store only the water they reasonably require for daily use.
The maintenance will impact a broad geographic footprint, including Soweto, Sandton, Randburg, Midrand, Rand West, Merafong, Emfuleni, Mogale City, Midvaal, Govan Mbeki, the Royal Bafokeng administration, and multiple mining operations. Service impacts may range from reduced pressure to temporary interruptions.
Municipalities have committed to deploying water tankers based on population density and reservoir strain, with Rand Water emphasizing that all distributed water must meet potable standards. As a bulk supplier, Rand Water is coordinating closely with local authorities to manage last-mile distribution.
Critical facilities—including hospitals, clinics, schools, and old age homes—have been prioritized through strategic cross-connections within the network. This allows Rand Water to redirect flow to reservoirs serving these institutions, which were also filled to capacity ahead of the maintenance window.
Maroo clarified that the current campaign targets bulk infrastructure—reservoirs, major pipelines, and booster stations—rather than municipal reticulation systems where non-revenue water losses typically occur. “The onus is more on municipalities to undertake critical maintenance of their infrastructure,” Maroo noted, adding that entities such as Joburg Water and eThekwini have allocated dedicated budgets for such work.
Throughout the maintenance period, Rand Water has pledged to provide continuous updates to municipal partners and the public regarding progress and any emerging contingencies. Residents are encouraged to follow official communication channels for area-specific guidance.
