Residents of Johannesburg still struggling with water shortages due to recent maintenance work on key pump stations have been told to expect delays before their taps run freely again. Rand Water initiated scheduled maintenance at their Zwartkopjes and Eikenhof pump stations, which has left many people without water supply since Friday.
On December 15, Rand Water confirmed completion of maintenance at the Zwartkopjes pump station. This has enabled pumping operations to return to full capacity, providing water to areas like Parktown, Berea, Naturena, and Forest Hill.
The utility’s spokesperson, Nombuso Tshabalala, noted, "Rand Water confirmed maintenance at its Eikenhof pump station is scheduled for completion this evening at 9PM." The Eikenhof maintenance affects residents across multiple areas: Soweto, Randburg, Roodepoort, Brixton, Crosby, Hursthill, Lenasia, and parts of Johannesburg Central, including Eagle's Nest.
While some areas are getting water restored following Zwartkopjes' maintenance, Johannesburg Water cautioned residents about the uneven recovery rates, particularly for those living at higher elevations. "Complete recovery of all impacted systems takes between five and 14 days after supply has been fully restored," stated Johannesburg Water.
Johannesburg Water has been actively responding to the disruptions caused by the maintenance delays. Tankers have been deployed to affected areas, prioritizing hospitals, clinics, and elderly care facilities to guarantee continuous water supply. Yet, frustration has brewed among residents, especially those who feel the local government's efforts have been insufficient. One resident lamented, "I’m shocked the government hasn't supplied any water tankers around the area,” referring to Randburg, where residents had to turn to local filling stations for water.
The current maintenance work is part of long-term efforts to improve system reliability across the Johannesburg water supply network. The maintenance schedule was deliberately chosen for these pump stations to coincide with the off-peak season when industries are mostly closed, and many residents are on holiday. Tshabalala explained, "The bulk water supply entity chose the off-peak season due to industries having closed and some people having gone on holiday." This allowed Rand Water to tackle necessary repairs without burdening day-to-day users.
While maintenance is complete for the Zwartkopjes pump, Johannesburg Water emphasized the process of restoration does not occur immediately for all areas. They clarified, “This is why some areas get water almost immediately after work is done at those specific pump stations, whereas others must wait days or longer.” Factors like the geographic elevation and the distance from the pumping station play pivotal roles.
For now, residents are advised to exercise patience. Johannesburg Water reminds everyone to use water sparingly during the reconfiguration and recovery phases. The utility is also facilitating access to water through additional roaming tankers, and they have set up 'self-help' points where individuals can collect water themselves at designated depots.
These self-help initiatives are especially important as some neighborhoods lack reliable tanker service. For those near the Southdale Depot, water can be fetched at 91 Side Road for Regions B and F. Another point is available at Hamberg Depot at 159 Albertina Sisulu, Roodepoort.
While bottom line recovery efforts continue, the public’s cooperation is key. Those affected are encouraged to stay informed about the situation and to utilize official channels for updates on water restoration progress. The situation is expected to normalize soon, and with it, residents hope to resume their daily routines without the burden of water scarcity.
