Rand Water, the bulk water supplier for Gauteng, has announced planned maintenance activities from May to June 2025. This essential work aims to address ongoing water supply challenges caused by ageing infrastructure, high consumption, and system leaks across the province. Residents are urged to prepare for possible water interruptions and to continue practising responsible water usage.
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What the Planned Maintenance Entails
Rand Water’s planned maintenance programme will involve critical repairs and upgrades to pumping stations, pipelines, and treatment facilities. These interventions are necessary to improve the reliability and efficiency of water delivery to municipalities including Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane.
During maintenance periods, certain areas may experience temporary water supply interruptions. To mitigate the impact, Rand Water and local municipalities will deploy water tankers to affected communities. Residents are encouraged to store sufficient water for domestic use ahead of any outages.
Current Water Supply Challenges in Gauteng
Despite recent rainfall improving dam levels, Gauteng’s water system remains under strain. The main challenges include:
- Aging Infrastructure: Many pipelines and reservoirs require urgent repair or replacement to prevent leaks and bursts.
- High Consumption: Water use in Johannesburg and surrounding areas remains elevated, increasing pressure on the system.
- System Leaks: Johannesburg Water reports losing up to 46% of water through leaks and infrastructure failures.
- Maintenance Backlogs: Limited resources and equipment shortages have delayed critical maintenance work.
These factors contribute to the ongoing risk of water shortages and service interruptions, even as Level 1 water restrictions officially ended in March 2025. Authorities warn that restrictions may be reinstated if demand continues to outpace supply.
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Affected Areas and Maintenance Schedule
The most significant disruption will occur in the City of Ekurhuleni, where three major water outages are planned:
- Tie-in of B16 Pipeline from Zuikerbosch, Station 5 (Mapleton System)
- Duration: 29 May 2025 at 03:00 to 2 June 2025 at 17:00 (107 hours)
- Affected Areas:
Parts of Morehill, Crystal Park, Putfontein AH, Hillcrest, Benoni AH, Cloverdene, Chief Albert Luthuli, Daveyton, Mayfield, Etwatwa, Apex, New Modder, Rynsoord, Brentwood Park AH; Fairleads, Vosloorus, Dawn Park, Windmill Park, Villa Liza, Mapleton AH, Katlehong South, Vosloorus Extension 20, Phumula, Rondebult and extensions, Buhle Park Helderwyk, Dal Park, Leachville, Dalview, Van Eck Park, Rand Collieries, Brakpan and Brakpan North, Larendale, Denne Oord, Minnebron, Sun Air Park, Sonneveld, Kenleaf, Brenthurst, Anzac, Sallies Village, Vulcania, Marievlei, Springs, Selcourt, New Era, Dal Fouche, Pollack Park, Daggafontein, Selection Park, Geduld, New State Areas, Strubenvale, Casseldale, Bakerton, Welgedacht, Persida, Alliance, Kingsway, Modder-East, Eastvale, Dersley Park, Presidents Dam, Krugersruss, Wright Park, Petersfield, Rowhill, East Geduld, Lodeyko, Edelweiss, Struisbult, Nuffield, Grootvlei Estate, Grootvally, Largo, Slovo Park, Reedville, Oranjehof, Payneville, Kwa-Thema Tsakani, Duduza, Langaville, Masechaba View, Bluegum View, John Dube, Nigel, Ferryvale, Noycedale, Visagie Park, Prosperita, Vorsterkroon, Pretoriusstad, - Alra Park, Mackenzieville, Withok Estates, Geluksdal, Labore, Sharon Park, Dunnottar.
- Klipriviersberg Isolation for Cleaning and Inspection (Palmiet System)
- Duration: 3 June 2025 from 06:00 to 16:00 (10 hours)
- Affected Areas: Hughes, Witfield, Ravensklip, Boksburg North, Dayanglen, Morgan Ridge, Bedfordview, Senderwood, Essexwold.
- Russell Road Meter Installation (Palmiet System)
- Duration: 3 June 2025 from 06:00 to 18:00 (12 hours)
- Affected Areas: Norton Small Farms, Dinwiddie, Albemarle, Race Way Industrial, Castleview, Wychwood, Jupiter, South Germiston, Gosforth Park, Malvern East, Wadeville, Cruywagen Park, Roodekop X31.
In Johannesburg, additional maintenance and emergency repairs will affect areas including:
- Vandia Grove, Beverley Gardens, Bryanston, parts of Ferndale, Osummit, Bryanbrink, and sections of Kensington B (16–17 May 2025).
- Olievenpoort Extension 40, specifically Northgate Street and Valley Road (22 May 2025).
Water Restrictions and Conservation Measures
Although Level 1 restrictions ended on 31 March 2025, residents are still urged to use water sparingly. Key water-saving practices include:
- Avoid using hosepipes for watering gardens or washing cars between 6 am and 6 pm.
- Fix leaking taps and plumbing promptly.
- Take shorter showers and avoid filling baths beyond 100mm.
- Reuse grey water for gardening where possible.
- Report leaks and bursts to municipal authorities immediately.
The City of Johannesburg and Tshwane have reiterated the importance of these measures to reduce pressure on the water supply network during maintenance.
What Residents Should Do
- Store Water: Keep a reserve of clean water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene during possible supply interruptions.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from Rand Water, Johannesburg Water, and local municipalities for announcements on maintenance schedules and affected areas.
- Report Issues: Promptly report leaks, bursts, or low water pressure to help authorities respond quickly.
- Conserve Water: Continue practising responsible water use to support the overall system and avoid stricter restrictions.
Mitigation Measures
Rand Water and municipalities will deploy water tankers to supply affected communities where possible. They also emphasise that no area will experience more than one outage during this maintenance period.
Rand Water’s planned maintenance is a vital step toward stabilising Gauteng’s water supply infrastructure. However, infrastructure upgrades require time and sustained investment. Meanwhile, the cooperation of residents in conserving water remains critical to managing the province’s water challenges.
Together, through maintenance efforts and mindful water use, Gauteng can work toward a more reliable and sustainable water future.
