-
Drops of water seen from an open tap.
Water expert and former Director-General of Water and Sanitation Mike Muller has welcomed Rand Water’s current maintenance programme, saying routine upkeep is essential to ensure long-term water supply reliability.
Phase one of the maintenance programme began on Friday and is expected to continue until Tuesday, with phase two set for 17th July.
Some areas in Gauteng are experiencing little to no water supply while the maintenance work continues.
Muller warns that ageing and leaking infrastructure continues to place pressure on the province’s water system.
“This kind of maintenance, whether it lasts 12 or 24 hours, should not disrupt the water supply if the cities and towns supplied by Rand Water have enough reservoir capacity to continue providing services while the system is temporarily shut down. However, I think what we have discovered is that the population has grown very quickly,” says Muller.
WATCH | Rand Water has begun planned maintenance, causing widespread water outages across Gauteng, affecting Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo has the latest. pic.twitter.com/b9PjIAwM7j
— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 30, 2026
Intermittent supply
Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane says some areas are still experiencing low water pressure and intermittent supply despite the completion of phase one of Rand Water’s maintenance work.
The metro says while pumping has resumed at close to 90%, reservoirs, towers and bulk pipelines are still recovering and stabilising across the network. The City’s spokesperson Selby Bokaba says Region 1 remains the hardest hit, with residents in Mabopane, Winterveldt and parts of Soshanguve continuing to face water supply challenges.
Bokaba is urging residents to use water sparingly as efforts to fully restore the system continue.
“Residents in Mabopane, Winterveldt and parts of Soshanguve may still experience low water pressure or intermittent water supply until the system fully recovers. The City reminds residents that the restoration of pumping does not immediately translate into the restoration of water supply to all areas. Reservoirs, towers and pipelines require time to recover before normal distribution pressures can be fully restored across the network,” says Bokaba.
VIDEO | Gauteng Water Crisis | Rand Water completes Phase 1 of maintenance programme
