After two months of intensive upgrades, Rand Water has finished its critical maintenance of Johannesburg’s water infrastructure and did so ahead of schedule. However, immediate full water supply is not yet restored across the city. For now, residents must wait as the municipal system gradually refills and stabilises. Here’s what you need to know about the project, the affected areas, and when normal water services should return.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!ALSO READ: Rand Water Pours R400 Million into Maintenance While Gauteng Endures Extended Water Outages
Why Such Major Maintenance Was Necessary
Johannesburg’s water supply system is ageing and faces pressure from both population growth and chronic leaks. Rand Water’s latest maintenance was aimed at enhancing system capacity, improving plant availability, conducting statutory dam safety inspections, and boosting overall operational efficiency. “The project will help ensure that the system is more reliable and resilient going forward,” says Rand Water in its official communications. These upgrades are vital to prevent sudden, large-scale failures especially as the city heads into the hotter, high-demand summer months.
Project Timeline and Strategic Planning
The maintenance programme began in May 2025 and was completed ahead of schedule on Friday, 19 July 2025. Rand Water strategically scheduled this work during winter, when water demand is lowest. “The work was strategically scheduled during the low consumption months to minimise service disruptions and manage the potential negative impact on water supply,” explains the utility. This approach aimed to reduce inconvenience for residents and businesses, but outages were still unavoidable in many areas.
The Three-Phase Maintenance Approach
Rand Water divided the maintenance into three phases, each targeting different parts of the network. This phased approach allowed for some areas to recover before work began elsewhere, reducing overall disruption. “To reduce interruptions and allow time for the system recovery, the maintenance programme was divided into three phases, all of which were completed,” confirms Rand Water. This careful scheduling demonstrates the utility’s commitment to balancing essential upgrades with community needs.
Which Areas Were Most Affected?
Dozens of suburbs and thousands of residents experienced water shortages during the project. Entire neighbourhoods saw taps run dry, while others dealt with severely reduced pressure. High-lying areas those further uphill were especially impacted. “Restoration can take between a few hours to several days, but Rand Water is closely monitoring the recovery process,” the utility notes. Suburbs such as Sandton, Midrand, and parts of Soweto were among those hit hardest, with residents relying on water tankers and storage reserves during outages.
How Water Returns to the System
Restoration is not instant. Once maintenance is complete, reservoirs need to refill and pressure must stabilise throughout the network. “This is due to the need to rebuild system capacity and pressure, particularly in high-lying areas,” explains Rand Water. “These high-lying areas are the last to receive water as it must travel uphill and requires more time to restore adequate pressure. The low-lying areas typically recover more quickly.” Residents should expect a gradual return of supply, not a sudden switch.
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Water Throttling Continues in Key Areas:
Even as maintenance ends, Johannesburg Water continues water throttling temporarily limiting supply to manage demand and protect reservoirs.
| Throttling Area/Suburb | Reservoir/Pump Station | Throttling Status | Reason for Throttling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zondi, Soweto | Powerpark reservoir | Scheduled: Sat 20 July, 2pm – Sun 21 July, 4am | Curb consumption, protect reservoir levels, maintain steady supply |
| Power Park, Soweto | Powerpark reservoir | Scheduled: Sat 20 July, 2pm – Sun 21 July, 4am | Curb consumption, protect reservoir levels, maintain steady supply |
| Orange Farm | South Hills Pump Station, etc. | Rotational (as needed) | Manage demand, stabilise reservoir levels |
| Lawley | Doornkop (network) | Rotational (as needed) | Manage demand, stabilise reservoir levels |
| Lenasia | Randjesfontein Pump Station | Rotational (as needed) | Manage demand, stabilise reservoir levels |
| President Park | Yeoville Pump Station (reduced pumping) | Rotational (as needed) | Manage demand, stabilise reservoir levels |
| Diepsloot | Honeydew Reservoir | Rotational (as needed) | Manage demand, stabilise reservoir levels |
| Various (as needed) | Constantia Tower, Robertville Reservoir, Alexander Park Reservoir, Berea Reservoir, Brixton Reservoir, Brixton Pump Station (reduced pumping), Witpoortjie Pump Station, Grand Central Pump Station | Rotational (implemented when demand rises) | Protect reservoirs, ensure equitable supply for all areas |
Preparing for Future Outages
Johannesburg Water urges residents to remain prepared for scheduled and unscheduled outages, especially during system recovery. Storing water in clean containers, reporting leaks promptly, and using water sparingly all help to ease the burden on the network. The city also asks residents to follow official updates on its website and social media.
The Broader Context: Water Security in Johannesburg
Johannesburg’s recent experience is not unique many South African cities face similar infrastructure challenges. Planned maintenance, while disruptive, is essential for long-term security. Rand Water’s proactive approach completing upgrades before the system buckles under summer pressure serves as a model for other municipalities. The utility’s focus on “enhancing system capacity, improving plant availability and reliability, instituting statutory dam safety inspections and boosting overall operational efficiency” is a step toward a more dependable water future.
When Will Water Return to Normal?
Full restoration may take “a few hours to several days,” depending on location and reservoir levels. Residents in low-lying areas should see a quicker return to normal, while high-lying suburbs may wait longer. Rand Water is closely monitoring the recovery and will provide updates as the system stabilises.
Meanwhile, Johannesburg Water continues to manage supply through throttling to prevent reservoir depletion. Stay informed by checking their updates and report any prolonged outages to your local ward councillor.
A Thank You and a Call for Patience
Rand Water thanks Johannesburg residents for their patience and cooperation during this necessary but inconvenient project. “This work was essential for the future reliability of the city’s water supply,” the utility reiterates. With the upgrades complete, Johannesburg’s water system is on a stronger footing but the city must continue investing in infrastructure and community engagement to prevent future crises.
