Large parts of Johannesburg are set to face water outages
Rand Water, the bulk water supplier, announced it will conduct extensive maintenance on its infrastructure from 22 June to 29 July, which will affect large parts of the city of Johannesburg.
This crucial work aims to enhance plant availability, reliability, and efficiency, creating a more flexible system. According to Rand Water, such preventative maintenance is essential to ensure their system operates efficiently and reliably, benefiting customers like Johannesburg Water.
“It is ideal to execute this maintenance work during the low-temperature period of June and July 2024 in preparation for higher demand periods during higher temperatures starting from August 2024,” Rand Water stated.
Affected that will be affected
The maintenance will affect several of Johannesburg Water’s systems, specifically those supplied by the Palmiet and Eikenhof pump stations, as well as the Daleside Booster Station.
The areas are, Soweto, Randburg/Roodepoort, Commando, Lenasia, parts of Johannesburg central (including Eagles Nest, Crown Gardens, Aeroton, and Alan Manor Reservoirs). All Sandton and Midrand systems, South Hills Tower, as well as the Alexandra Park, Randjieslagte, and Linksfield reservoirs. Orange Farm, Ennerdale, and Lawley reservoirs. Johannesburg CBD: Hector Norris Pumpstation, Parktown, Berea, Yeoville and Foresthill.
During this period, Johannesburg Water customers will experience low water pressure or no water supply. Recovery of these systems may take approximately five days or longer after the full restoration of supply.
To mitigate the impact, Johannesburg Water will arrange alternative water supplies at critical locations such as hospitals, clinics, schools, municipal offices, police stations, and shopping centres.
Detailed maintenance schedule affecting Johannesburg
The maintenance schedule is as follows:
- 24 June 24: Zwartkopjes Pump Station will cease pumping at the Daleside Booster Station for four hours, with Zwartkopjes operating at 50% capacity.
- 24-27 June: Eikenhof Pump Station will function at 50% capacity for eight hours and at 67% for the remaining 64 hours.
- 13 June: The Eikenhof system will pump at 83% capacity for 15 days.
- 1July: The Palmiet system will reduce to 68% capacity for 50 hours.
- 29 July: The Palmiet system will reduce to 76% capacity for 40 hours.
These measures are part of Rand Water’s strategy to prepare for higher demand during the warmer months. While the maintenance work may temporarily inconvenience Johannesburg Water customers, it is a necessary step towards ensuring a more reliable water supply in the future.