Rand Water has commenced an extensive phased infrastructure maintenance program aimed at strengthening the reliability of its bulk water network and reducing frequent infrastructure failures. The utility’s spokesperson, Makenosi Maroo, confirmed that reservoirs have been filled to capacity, meaning residents should not experience significant supply challenges during the first 24 hours of the operation.
The maintenance window runs from this morning through June 2nd for the first phase, followed by a scheduled break to allow system recovery. A second phase is planned for July 17–19, after which the maintenance campaign will be complete.
According to Maroo, the work includes Eskom-related electrical maintenance, installation of new valves, upgrades to a motor in Engine Room 4, and critical work on the Palmiet system—one of Rand Water’s largest supply networks. “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 stated.
While the initial period is expected to remain stable, pressure reductions and intermittent outages may occur as the system depletes beyond the first day. High-lying areas are likely to experience impacts sooner and will be the last to recover. Maroo urged residents to avoid panic-buying or excessive stockpiling, advising households to store only what they reasonably need.
Affected regions span a wide cross-section of Gauteng and surrounding areas, including Soweto, Sandton, Randburg, Midrand, Rand West, Merafong, Emfuleni, Mogale City, Midvaal, Govan Mbeki, the Royal Bafokeng administration, and several mining operations. Impacts may range from reduced water pressure to temporary outages.
Municipalities have committed to deploying water tankers based on population density and reservoir strain, with Rand Water emphasizing that safe, potable water standards must be maintained. The utility, which supplies bulk water, is coordinating closely with local authorities to manage distribution.
Critical institutions—including hospitals, clinics, schools, and old age homes—have been prioritized through system cross-connections that allow Rand Water to channel supply directly to reservoirs serving these facilities. Reservoirs feeding such institutions were filled to capacity ahead of the maintenance window.
Maroo clarified that the current campaign focuses on bulk infrastructure—reservoirs, pipelines, and booster stations—rather than municipal reticulation networks 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 budgets for such work.
Rand Water has pledged continuous communication with municipal partners and the public throughout the maintenance period, providing updates on progress and any contingencies. Residents are encouraged to monitor official channels for localized information.