The planned Rand Water maintenance may cause water supply interruptions in the City of Tshwane.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers
Residents of the City of Tshwane should brace for potential water interruptions as Rand Water embarks on 40 days of annual maintenance on its Palmiet, Zuikerbosch, and Mapleton systems from 29 May to 17 July 2026.
Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said Rand Water’s planned annual maintenance will be carried out to improve the network’s reliability and efficiency ahead of winter and is expected to affect large parts of the city.
"The planned maintenance work, according to the water utility, will coincide with Eskom’s planned critical maintenance activities which will enhance operational flexibility across key Rand Water systems to reduce the risk of plant trips and equipment failures," he said.
He said that during the Eskom maintenance period, Rand Water will switch off some pumps, resulting in water supply interruptions.
"The maintenance work is perfectly timed to be carried out just before the start of the winter season – which is traditionally a low-water-demand period," Mashigo said.
He added that the work, which will affect Tshwane’s water network, involves Eskom-related electrical maintenance at the Zuikerbosch and Palmiet systems.
Other work will include installing and upgrading motors at Zuikerbosch Raw Water Engine Room 4, replacing critical valves and thrust bearings at the Palmiet, Vereeniging, and Foresthill systems, and upgrading M11 Pipeline cross-connections within the Mapleton system.
Among the areas likely to be affected include Atteridgeville, Akasia, Amandasig, Chantelle, Florauna, Hartbeesthoek, Heatherdale, Heatherview, Ninapark, Brakfontein 399-JR, Celtisdal, Eldoraigne, Brakfontein 390-JR, Bronberrik, Clubview Ext 78, Cranbrookvale, Christoburg, Erasmia, Erasmia 350-JR, Hoekplaats 384-JR, Ga-rankuwa unit 4, 5,6,7,8 and 9.
Other reservoirs likely to be affected include Corobrick Plant, Carina street reservoir, Eersterust reservoir, Elardus Park reservoir, Zwartkoppies o Magalieskruin reservoir and Mamelodi R1 reservoir.
Mashigo urged consumers to follow the city’s communication platforms in the run-up to the maintenance period for a simplified breakdown of the affected reservoirs and the areas they supply.
"The city apologises for the inconvenience that may be encountered as a result of the maintenance work and consumers will be regularly kept updated of developments," he said.
During last year’s Rand Water maintenance at Hartebeeshoek, residents of Soshanguve, Mabopane, Ga-Rankuwa, and Winterveldt faced a severe water crisis when the work lasted nearly a month.
Meanwhile, the city has also notified residents in the Soshanguve L Reservoir supply area of a planned water supply interruption on June 2, 2026 from 08:00 to 16:00. The work will affect Soshanguve South Ext 1 and Soshanguve Block TT.
“On this day, technicians from the City of Tshwane’s Water and Sanitation Business Unit will replace a leaking coupling on the inlet side of the chamber at the Soshanguve L Reservoir,” the city said.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za