Johannesburg: Rand Water is scheduled to conduct major maintenance work on its key infrastructure starting Thursday, 29 May 2025. The maintenance forms part of efforts to ensure a sustainable and efficient water supply.
According to South African Government News Agency, the maintenance aims to increase capacity and enhance plant availability, reliability, and operational efficiency. This initiative is in preparation for the anticipated increased water supply volumes from August 2025. Rand Water stated that the maintenance activities will occur at various times and locations across several municipalities, with the primary operation beginning on Thursday at 3 am and concluding on Monday, 2 June, at 5 pm.
During this period, pumping capacity will be reduced at the Eikenhof, Palmiet, Mapleton, and Zwartkopjes systems. Cities including Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane may experience low pressure or intermittent water supply. The maintenance may also affect water provision to local municipalities such as Rand West, Mogale City, Merafong, and others. This work has been strategically scheduled during the low consumption months of May to July 2025 to minimize disruptions.
The key objective of the maintenance is to connect the newly constructed B16 pipeline, which will supply water from the new Station 5A at the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant to Engine Room 3 at the Mapleton Booster Pumping Station. Additionally, the City of Ekurhuleni will conduct maintenance on their electrical infrastructure.
Specific maintenance tasks include the tie-in of the B16 pipeline affecting the Mapleton System, Klipriviersberg isolation for cleaning and inspection, and valve replacements at the Zwartkopjes System. These activities will impact water supply to various systems and municipalities, with expected reductions in pumping capacity and temporary shutdowns.
The maintenance work will affect the meters in the City of Tshwane and Johannesburg supplied by these systems. In Johannesburg, for example, the Palmiet System will see reduced pumping capacity during cleaning and inspection activities. Furthermore, repairs and cleaning operations at the Zuikerbosch Plant and Vereeniging Plant will also impact supply levels for extended periods.
This comprehensive maintenance project underscores Rand Water’s commitment to enhancing the resilience and adaptability of the water supply network.