Rand Water has announced a critical maintenance project to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and availability of its water systems.
Johannesburg water outages this December: Here’s what you must know
Following the successful repair of the J10 pipeline, this new phase of work will address leaks and infrastructure upgrades.
According to Rand Water, the maintenance is scheduled for December to take advantage of reduced water demand during the holiday season, when industries close, and many residents travel out of Gauteng.
The project includes the repair of the B1/B2 pipeline at Zuikerbosch and upgrades to the Eikenhof system’s flexibility, which are essential for improving long-term system performance.
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Areas that will be affected:
Water outages will affect various neighbourhoods under the Zwartkopjes and Eikenhof systems.
These include:
- Zwartkopjes System: Crown Gardens, Parktown, Berea, Naturena, Aeroton, and Orlando East.
- Eikenhof System: Soweto, Randburg, Roodepoort, Lenasia, and parts of Johannesburg Central, such as Eagles Nest, Crown Gardens, and Aeroton.
Residents in these areas should prepare for reduced water pressure or complete outages during the maintenance period.
The planned outages will begin on Friday, 13 December 2024, and proceed as follows:
- Zwartkopjes System: Pumping capacity will be reduced to 70% for 36 hours, starting at 05:00 on Friday, 13 December 2024.
- Eikenhof System: Pumping capacity will be reduced to 20% for 86 hours, starting at 07:00 on the same day.
What to expect during the outages
During the maintenance, residents in affected areas may experience significantly reduced water pressure or no water supply at all.
Intermittent pumping will provide some relief, but disruptions are expected to persist throughout the duration of the project.
Johannesburg Water has indicated that contingency measures are in place, but the scale of the maintenance may still result in localised delays and challenges.
The outages will last up to:
- 36 hours for Zwartkopjes System areas.
- 86 hours for Eikenhof System areas.
Full restoration of normal water supply is expected shortly after the maintenance concludes.
What residents can do during outages?
Residents are advised to take the following steps to minimise the impact of the outages:
- Store Water in Advance: Fill up storage containers, bathtubs, and other available reservoirs before Friday, 13 December.
- Use Water Sparingly: Limit water usage to essential activities such as drinking, cooking, and sanitation during the outage.
- Monitor Official Updates: Stay informed through Johannesburg Water and Rand Water’s communication channels for updates on restoration progress.
- Plan for Alternative Sources: Consider purchasing bottled water or arranging access to alternative water supplies if necessary.
