Ekurhuleni
By Mpho Moloi
Gauteng residents are bracing for a reduced water supply as Rand Water kicks off its essential winter maintenance at key pumping stations, starting May 29, 2025. This planned work will affect multiple municipalities, including Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Rand West, Mogale City, Rustenburg, and Merafong. In response, the City of Ekurhuleni has rolled out water tankers and contingency plans to ease the impact, urging residents to store water and use it wisely during this period.
Maintenance Schedule and Affected Areas
Rand Water’s maintenance is split into four phases, with the first phase delivering the biggest challenge. Beginning at 03:00 on May 29, 2025, this phase will run for 107 hours—roughly 4.5 days—until June 2, 2025, at 17:00. During this time, water won’t be pumped into Ekurhuleni’s systems, hitting suburbs hard. The second phase lasts 10 hours, the third 12 hours, and the fourth 50 hours. However, it’s the initial 107-hour shutdown that will cause the most disruption, with recovery taking up to 14 days, especially in high-lying areas.
Affected Ekurhuleni suburbs include:
• Benoni
• Vosloorus
• Katlehong
• Springs
• Brakpan
• Daveyton
• Etwatwa
• Kwa-Thema
• Tsakani
• Duduza
• Nigel
The Mapleton system, a major water supply network, will be offline during the first phase, delaying recovery for an additional five to 14 days as reservoirs refill. This maintenance tackles ageing infrastructure and high water demand, ensuring a more reliable supply in the future. Across Gauteng, similar upgrades are vital to prevent long-term shortages, especially as population growth strains the region’s water resources.
Contingency Plans and Resources
The City of Ekurhuleni is stepping up to support residents with practical solutions. Stationary water tanks and roaming trucks will be stationed in affected areas to provide relief. To keep everyone in the loop, the city has set up WhatsApp groups linking ward councillors, chief area engineers, and the Customer Relations Management (CRM) team for quick responses to emergencies.
Thembi Msane, Ekurhuleni MMC for Water and Sanitation, reassured residents: “We do have the resources because it’s broken up into four phases… we just want our customers to be aware of this Rand Water planned maintenance.” She explained that low-lying areas could see water return within five hours once pumping resumes, allowing resources to shift to harder-hit spots.
Msane also addressed tanker supply challenges: “Normally what happens is the communication with the councillors and our chief area engineers… to say that no, we’re having a higher demand at this point and then they’ll divert the tanker to that area while supplying other areas.” To cut delays, water pickup points have been moved closer to communities, ensuring faster delivery, especially during peak times like mornings and evenings when demand spikes.
Ahead of the shutdown, reservoirs will be pumped to full capacity from May 25, 2025, giving residents a buffer before taps run dry. Extra resources are being directed to areas already struggling with water supply, based on feedback from councillors and engineers.
Advice for Residents and Businesses
With water cuts looming, residents are encouraged to prepare now. Stock up on water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene, and adopt simple habits to stretch supplies further. Fix leaks, use buckets instead of hoses, and skip unnecessary tasks like car washing or lawn watering.
Businesses, schools, and hospitals should store enough water to cover their daily needs—or at least 36 hours—to keep running smoothly. Msane stressed teamwork: “If an area is facing a crisis, then we can respond speedily… our people can then speak to their ward councillor.”
Beyond households, Gauteng’s water-saving push includes public campaigns to cut waste, like the “Drop the Pressure” initiative, which encourages lower consumption to ease strain on the system.
Long-Term Solutions and Future Outlook
This maintenance, though disruptive, is a critical fix for Gauteng’s water woes. Ageing pipes, pumps, and plants—some over 50 years old—need regular upkeep to avoid bigger breakdowns. Rand Water’s efforts also aim to curb the 30% water loss from leaks province-wide, a problem costing billions annually.
Looking ahead, Ekurhuleni and Rand Water are investing in upgrades, from modernizing pipelines to rolling out smart meters for better leak detection. Community cooperation is key, with Msane urging: “We requested this interview in order for us to make sure that the people of Ekurhuleni are well aware… we want our customers to be aware of this Rand Water planned maintenance.”
Key Takeaways
• When: Rand Water’s maintenance starts May 29, 2025, with the first phase lasting 107 hours.
• Where: Ekurhuleni suburbs like Benoni, Vosloorus, and Springs will be hit hardest.
• What’s Being Done: Water tankers, stationary tanks, and communication channels are in place.
• What You Can Do: Store water, save water, and contact your ward councillor if issues arise.
• Why It Matters: Fixing old infrastructure now prevents worse shortages later.
Residents can stay informed via Ekurhuleni’s official updates and are encouraged to share this news with neighbours.
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