Key Takeaways
- The City of Johannesburg is expecting water supply disruptions due to scheduled 54-hour maintenance by Rand Water on January 8, 2026
- The maintenance is part of essential upgrades to critical bulk water infrastructure and will affect several Johannesburg Water systems, including the Roodepoort Deep, Fleurhof, Doornkop, Meadowlands 1 and 2, and Braamfischer reservoirs
- Residents may have to wait at least seven days for water to return to their taps after the maintenance is completed
- The city has put contingency plans in place, including managing reservoir levels, having response teams on standby, and providing alternative water through tankers
- A recent water pipe burst in Bezuidenhout Valley has also affected water supply, with repairs completed on December 30, 2025, and ongoing flushing and testing to ensure water quality
Introduction to the Water Supply Disruption
The City of Johannesburg is bracing for a potential water supply disruption due to scheduled maintenance by Rand Water. The 54-hour maintenance, which is set to take place from 4am on Tuesday to 8am on January 8, 2026, is part of essential upgrades to critical bulk water infrastructure. According to City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, the maintenance is necessary to enhance the long-term reliability and sustainability of water supply to parts of Johannesburg. However, it will cause temporary water supply disruptions in some areas, with residents possibly having to wait at least seven days for water to return to their taps after the maintenance is completed.
Affected Areas and Infrastructure
The Johannesburg Water systems expected to be affected by the maintenance include the Roodepoort Deep, Fleurhof, Doornkop, Meadowlands 1 and 2 (including direct feeds), and Braamfischer reservoirs. During the maintenance period, the volume of bulk water supplied to Johannesburg Water’s network will be significantly reduced, leading to low water pressure or outages. Mayor Morero explained that once pumping resumes on January 8, the system will not recover immediately, requiring at least seven days to stabilize and recover fully.
Contingency Plans and Alternative Water Supply
To mitigate the impact of the maintenance, the city, Johannesburg Water, and Rand Water have put contingency plans in place. Reservoir levels have been managed in advance, response teams are on standby, and alternative water will be supplied through stationary and roaming tankers during the maintenance and recovery periods. According to Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala, water shortages are expected during the Rand Water maintenance period, and alternative water supply through water tankers will be provided where required.
Recent Water Pipe Burst and Repairs
In a separate incident, a recent water pipe burst in Bezuidenhout Valley, at the corner of 10th Avenue and Albertina Sisulu Road, has also affected water supply. Mayor Morero explained that the damaged steel pipe was located near a sewer manhole and required specialized welding, including the removal of a T-piece. Repairs were completed late on December 30, 2025, and ongoing flushing and testing are being conducted to ensure water quality. As a precaution, water meters were removed from affected properties, residents were advised not to use tap water, and a water tanker was deployed.
Recovery and Water Quality Testing
The system was flushed, and water samples were collected by Cydna Laboratory, with test results typically taking 36 to 48 hours. The first results showed non-compliance at all sampling points, prompting continued flushing. A second round of tests showed improvement, with three of seven sampling points passing. As of January 4, 2026, results showed significant improvement, with only two of seven sampling points still failing to meet minimum drinking water standards under SANS 241. To ensure broader flushing of the network, bulk dosing is underway, despite the impact being limited to a small area. Authorities have issued a preliminary confirmation narrowing the affected area to 6th through 10th avenues, Albertina Sisulu Road, and 10th Street. Further flushing and testing are ongoing to ensure the water supply is safe for consumption.