Planned Rand Water maintenance to disrupt Johannesburg Water supply in December and January
Johannesburg residents are set to experience temporary water interruptions as Rand Water undertakes essential maintenance. These are the areas that will be affected, along with how Johannesburg Water is mitigating the impact.
Johannesburg Water (JW) has confirmed that planned maintenance by Rand Water will affect the city’s water supply in December 2025 and January 2026.
The maintenance, aimed at improving reliability and efficiency across key water systems, will occur in three phases, and may lead to temporary reductions in water pressure or full interruptions for some residents.
Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy, on December 4, sought clarity on the potential impact of the maintenance programme in his ward, requesting details on meetings to discuss the plans and steps JW is taking to prevent dry taps beyond the provision of water tankers.
Read more: JW admits that their aging pipelines add to Jukskei Park’s leaking nightmare
The water utility has not responded to his concerns at the time of publication. Fourways Review has requested comment from Nolwazi Dlamini and will update the story when a response is received.
In the meantime, JW has shared a detailed schedule and mitigation plan.
Phase One: Zuikerbosch system. The first phase involves the removal and refurbishment of the wash water pump 10 and scheduled Eskom maintenance on the Zuikerbosch system. Affected areas, including Palmiet, Eikenhof, and Zwartkopjes, will experience reduced or interrupted water supply from 04:00 on December 13 until 04:00 on December 15.
The initial eight hours will see no pumping to Palmiet, while Zwartkopjes and Daleside systems will experience reduced pumping capacity.
For the remaining 40 hours, pumping will continue at reduced levels.
Phase Two: F33 and G34/G20 pipelines. The second phase involves the replacement of isolation valves and cross-connections in the Eikenhof system from 18:00 on December 19 to midnight on December 21.
This will result in no pumping to several JW meters, affecting areas including Power Park, Doornkop reservoir, Zondi, Braamfischer, Chiawelo, and Lenasia.
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Phase Three: F45, F39, F28, & F15 pipelines. The final phase will take place in early January 2026, with isolation valve replacements in the Eikenhof system between 04:00 on January 6 and 08:00 on January 8. Water supply interruptions will affect Meadowlands, Fleurhof, Roodepoort Deep, Doornkop North, and Braamfischer Ext 8.
JW emphasises that recovery of affected systems may take time after the maintenance, depending on demand.
To mitigate inconvenience, the utility has assured residents that alternative water supply arrangements, including water tankers, will remain in place until full recovery is achieved. Regular updates will be shared across multiple platforms, including ward councillor groups.
JW notes that the timing of the maintenance was chosen to minimise disruption, coinciding with the period when schools and some businesses are closed, and some residents are traveling, reducing overall water demand.
Residents are advised to stay informed through official JW communications and prepare accordingly for temporary supply disruptions.
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