Rand Water is set to carry out planned maintenance from 05:00 on Tuesday, 15 July to 07:00 on Friday, 18 July 2025, targeting a 72‑hour reduced pumping period.
Rand Water announces 72‑hour water blackouts for Gauteng
This means that systems drawing water from Rand Water may experience significant drops in pressure or complete outages.
Affected areas cover large parts of Gauteng, including:
- City of Tshwane;
- City of Johannesburg;
- City of Ekurhuleni; and
- the Madibeng Local Municipality.
Additionally, local municipalities such as Rand West, Mogale City, Merafong, Lesedi, Govan Mbeki, Rustenburg, Royal Bafokeng, and nearby mines and industrial zones will also feel the impact.
Within Johannesburg Water’s Midrand system, suburbs like Allandale, Austin View, Barbeque Downs, the wider Beaulieu area, Blue Hills, Carlswald Estates, Glen Austin, Steyn City, and parts of Diepsloot and President Park are specifically listed.
In Sandton, expect reduced flow in Bryanston, Magaliessig, Chartwell, Lonehill, Fourways, Douglasdale, among others. Central and northern areas like Glenhazel, Bramley View, Wynberg, Waverley, Alexandra, and extensions will also be affected as they draw from the Randjieslaagte Reservoir.
In Ekurhuleni, extensive leak repairs on the Rand Water pipeline targeting Edenvale, Thembisa, Germiston, Kempton Park, and surrounding suburbs will reduce supply for the full 50 hours of work.
Rand Water said the work is necessary to maintain a sustainable and efficient system.
By choosing the low‑consumption winter period (May–July), they hope to minimise the number of people affected.
Still, this time, many communities will face either no water or weak pressure, prompting the deployment of water tankers to provide emergency relief.
How to survive without water supply for three days
A loss of water for three days can seriously disrupt daily routine.
Here’s a simple guide to managing during the blackout:
- Store clean water now – Fill buckets, bottles and bathwater. Aim to store at least 3 litres per person per day for drinking, plus extra for cooking and hygiene.
- Use water sparingly – Brush teeth using a cup of water, shower briefly with a bucket instead of letting water run, and re‑use rinse water for flushing toilets.
- Collect tanker water carefully – Report any tanker drivers using unsafe water sources. Maintain clean containers and avoid unverified water supplies.
- Install a pressure booster – If you rely on stored water, small pumps or gravity-fed systems can help maintain household water pressure.
- Support vulnerable neighbours – Help the elderly or those without storage work out safe water solutions or share your supplies.
Tshwane’s health services official, Tshegofatso Mashabela, warned:
“Certain water tanker drivers have been resorting to collecting water from questionable and potentially hazardous sources.”
Rand Water reminded residents that after the blackout ends, it may take up to eight days for water flow to normalise, especially in high-lying areas.
Businesses are urged to keep at least 36 hours’ of storage on-site to avoid interruption.
