Johannesburg Water has issued a critical water shutdown alert for several areas in Johannesburg this weekend, which will leave thousands of households without water for up to three days. The ongoing maintenance work is necessary for enhancing service delivery, but it will disrupt the water supply across various regions, affecting daily routines and essential services.

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Johannesburg Water Maintenance: What You Need to Know

On Friday, January 31, 2025, Johannesburg Water will begin critical maintenance work at the Hector Norris Pump Station, which is expected to leave residents without water until Monday, February 3, 2025, in the evening. The maintenance is part of a broader initiative to improve Johannesburg’s water infrastructure. The installation of new isolation valves is aimed at optimizing water distribution and ensuring more reliable water service in the future.

This follows the earlier maintenance of the Palmiet System, which had already disrupted water supply to areas including Sandton, Midrand, and parts of Johannesburg’s central business district (CBD). Although the system was restored on January 26, 2025, Johannesburg Water has warned that recovery for some areas could take between three to five days, setting the stage for further disruptions.

Areas Affected by the Water Shutdown

The maintenance will impact a wide range of residential and commercial areas across Johannesburg. Below is a list of the affected regions:

Abbotsford
Albertville (including Ext.1 and Ext.2)
Amalgam and Amalgam Exts
Berea
Bezuidenhout Valley
Bramfontein
Bruma
Crown City (including industrial areas)
Cyrildene
De Wetshof
Doornfontein
Emmarentia and Emmarentia Ext.1
Fordsburg
Forest Hill and Forest Town
Glenhazel
Greenside (including Greenside East and Exts)
Highlands North
Hillbrow
Houghton
Illovo
Jeppestown
Johannesburg CBD
Killarney
Kenilworth
Linksfield
Malvern
Mayfair
Melrose
Melville (including Exts)
Montclare (including Ext.1)
New Doornfontein
Newlands
Newtown
Oaklands
Observatory
Parktown
Parkview
Richmond (including Ext.1)
Rossetenville
Sandringham
Saxonwold
Selby (including Exts)
Talboton
Triomf
Victoria
Westbury (including Exts)
Yeoville

This is not an exhaustive list, but these are the primary regions affected by the scheduled shutdown. It’s crucial for residents and businesses in these areas to prepare in advance to avoid disruption to daily activities.

Water Tankers to Provide Emergency Relief

To minimize the inconvenience caused by the water shutdown, Johannesburg Water will deploy water tankers to the affected areas. These tankers will be stationed at strategic locations, with the utility promising to announce their exact locations closer to the shutdown date. The water supply via tankers will be prioritised for essential services, including medical facilities, schools, retirement homes, and other critical institutions.

For households and businesses that are unable to access the tankers, it is advised to secure backup water supplies ahead of time. Businesses, especially those with large water consumption needs such as malls and restaurants, are encouraged to make preparations to ensure that their operations are not disrupted by the shutdown.

How to Prepare for the Water Shutdown

The three-day water disruption will affect both residential areas and businesses, so it’s essential to plan ahead:

Stock Up on Water: Ensure you have enough water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. Consider filling up containers, bathtubs, or any large vessels in your home.
Backup Water for Businesses: If you run a business that relies on a consistent water supply, make arrangements to store enough water to sustain operations during the outage.
Keep Informed: Stay updated with Johannesburg Water’s communications for any changes to the shutdown schedule or additional emergency services, such as water tanker locations.
Consider Alternative Water Sources: In areas where water tankers may not be available, residents and businesses might need to look for alternative sources of water, such as neighboring districts.

Johannesburg Water’s Commitment to Service Delivery

The planned water shutdown and subsequent maintenance work are part of Johannesburg Water’s ongoing efforts to improve the city’s water infrastructure and service delivery. While these temporary disruptions may cause significant inconvenience, the utility assures the public that these changes are necessary to ensure a more reliable water supply in the future.

Johannesburg Water has emphasized that recovery times may vary depending on the specific area, and it will take some time for all systems to fully stabilize after the maintenance work is completed.

As Johannesburg Water continues to improve its infrastructure, residents are urged to prepare for any future water shutdowns. The utility remains committed to keeping the public informed and providing necessary services to minimize the impact of water disruptions.

For more information and to stay updated, check Johannesburg Water’s official channels for announcements regarding the water shutdown and the availability of water tankers in your area.