Johannesburg Water announced the Zwartkopjes Systems maintenance scheduled, during which no pumping will occur: December 13 to 15 from 04:00 to 16:00.

The affected systems include the Crown Gardens Reservoir, the Eagles Nest Reservoir, the Forrest Hill Tower and the Naturena Reservoir.

Water supply to these areas will be suspended throughout the maintenance period. Once the work is complete, it may take several days for the systems to fully recover and restore normal service.

Tips for dealing with water outages:

• Before the outage: Store drinking water, aim for a minimum of 2l per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and basic cooking needs.

Store water in clean, food-grade plastic containers, label them with the date, and store them in a cool, dark place. Fill large pots on the stove with water for cooking.

Fill clean buckets or bathtubs with water for washing and flushing toilets. An older model toilet generally requires about a litre of water to flush when manually dumped into the bowl;

• Stock up on supplies: Gather non-perishable foods that require minimal water for preparation, hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, paper plates, cups, and utensils (to minimise dishwashing), and any needed baby supplies and pet food/water;

• Prepare appliances and plumbing: Turn off the water supply to the washing machine, dishwasher and geyser to prevent damage when the supply is restored.

Consider turning off the valve to your geyser to protect it from damage if the supply runs dry (consult the manufacturer’s instructions).

Locate and test your main water shutoff valve ahead of time in case of an unexpected issue during the maintenance.

• Stay Informed: Check for updates on your utility’s website or social media channels for the exact time, date and estimated duration of the outage. Register for their priority services if you or a household member relies on a medical device that needs water to function.

• During the outage: Do not use taps or flush toilets excessively to conserve your stored water and prevent air from entering your plumbing.

Use stored water sparingly for essential needs only.

Check on vulnerable neighbours to ensure they have access to the necessary water and supplies.

For more information, call 0860 562 874.