Residents and businesses across Ekurhuleni have been urged to prepare for possible water disruptions as Rand Water embarks on a major planned maintenance programme scheduled to run from 29 May to 19 July 2026.
The City of Ekurhuleni said the maintenance work will result in intermittent water supply interruptions and reduced water pressure in several areas supplied by the Palmiet, Zwartkopjes and Mapleton systems.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the city said water tankers would be deployed to affected communities, with details of tanker locations to be communicated closer to the maintenance dates through the municipality’s digital platforms.
The municipality warned that water supply recovery could take up to two weeks after the maintenance work is completed, particularly in high-lying areas, as the system would require time to regain adequate pressure levels.
Residents and businesses have been encouraged to store water in clean containers for essential use and to limit non-essential consumption such as irrigation, car washing and topping up swimming pools.
The maintenance programme includes several large-scale interventions, among them Eskom maintenance at Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch and Palmiet pump stations, replacement of raw water motors, valve and thrust bearing replacements at Vereeniging, and pipeline cross-connections within the Mapleton system.
Areas expected to be affected include parts of Alberton, Germiston, Edenvale, Boksburg, Benoni, Kempton Park, Thembisa, Vosloorus, Katlehong, Springs, Brakpan, Nigel and Kwa-Thema. Thousands of households in suburbs, townships and industrial areas across the metro are expected to experience varying degrees of disruption during the maintenance period.
The first phase of the maintenance is scheduled for 29 May, when Eskom maintenance at the Zuikerbosch and Palmiet pump stations is expected to affect water supply for 12 hours. Additional maintenance phases ranging from 23 to 96 hours are planned between late May and mid-July.
The city urged residents to monitor official City of Ekurhuleni and Rand Water communication channels for updates regarding water tanker deployment, maintenance schedules and supply restoration timelines.
