Pumping from the Elardus Park Reservoir to Elardus Park, Garsfontein and surrounding eastern areas of Pretoria has recommenced.

Residents in wards 47, 83 and 91 were left without water following a pipeline coupling failure at the Garsfontein facility on Sunday, October 19, halting supply to Elardus Park.

Pumping resumes to restore supply

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the immediate priority is to sustain pumping by maintaining sufficient water levels at Garsfontein, allowing distribution networks to recover progressively.

“Pumping to the Elardus Park reservoirs resumed on the morning of October 20, once Garsfontein reached the required safe operating level,” Mashigo said.

He added that the pump serving higher-lying areas of Elardus Park was also started to assist recovery.

Gradual recovery expected across network

“Recovery will be gradual as reservoir levels and network pressure improve, and a firm restoration time cannot yet be confirmed. If levels fall below the safe operating threshold, pumping will need to be temporarily suspended to protect the equipment,” he explained.

Mashigo said Garsfontein reservoirs needed to reach about 35% capacity, supported by consistent inflow, before pumping to Elardus Park could safely resume.

Cause of failure under investigation

He added that available information does not establish whether ageing infrastructure, pressure or maintenance issues caused the coupling failure.

The city’s recovery plan relies on maintaining supply into Garsfontein to enable continuous pumping downstream. Meanwhile, the city has deployed water tankers to all affected areas.

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