Johannesburg: Rand Water is set to embark on extensive maintenance work on its critical infrastructure starting Thursday, 29 May 2025, as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure a sustainable and efficient water supply.
According to South African Government News Agency, the maintenance project is aimed at increasing capacity and enhancing the reliability and operational efficiency of Rand Water’s systems. This is in preparation for the expected increase in water supply volumes from August 2025. The maintenance activities are scheduled to commence at various times and locations across multiple municipalities, with the primary operations kicking off on Thursday at 3 am and anticipated to conclude by Monday, 2 June, at 5 pm.
During this period, Rand Water will reduce pumping capacity at its Eikenhof, Palmiet, Mapleton, and Zwartkopjes systems. As a result, areas within Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane may experience low water pressure or intermittent supply. Additionally, the maintenance may impact water provision to local municipalities including Rand West, Mogale City, Merafong, Madibeng, Lesedi, Govan Mbeki, Rustenburg, Royal Bafokeng Administration, and Victor Khanye, Thembisile Hani, Midvaal, and Emfuleni.
The key goal of the maintenance work is to connect the newly constructed B16 pipeline, which will transport water from Station 5A at the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant to Engine Room 3 at the Mapleton Booster Pumping Station. The maintenance schedule has been strategically planned during the low consumption months of May to July 2025 to minimize disruptions and better manage the potential impact on water supply.
In the City of Ekurhuleni, maintenance will involve the tie-in of the B16 pipeline from Zuikerbosch, Station 5, affecting the Mapleton System from 29 May to 2 June 2025, with no pumping at the Mapleton Pumping Station for 107 hours. Other works include the Klipriviersberg isolation for cleaning and inspection, and Russel Road meter installation, impacting the Palmiet System on 3 June 2025.
The City of Tshwane will also experience similar impacts with the tie-in of the B16 pipeline affecting the Mapleton System from 29 May to 2 June 2025. The Klipriviersberg isolation will further reduce pumping to 67% for 10 hours on 3 June 2025.
In Johannesburg, maintenance work includes the Klipriviersberg isolation and pipe leak repairs at the Zuikerbosch Plant, affecting the Eikenhof System over 48 hours from 30 June to 2 July 2025. Additionally, cleaning of the sedimentation tank at the Vereeniging Plant will result in reduced pumping over 21 days beginning 30 June 2025.
The outlined maintenance activities are critical for ensuring that Rand Water can meet future demand and maintain a resilient water supply network. The City of Ekurhuleni will also take this opportunity to perform maintenance on its electrical infrastructure concurrently.