No Water for Three Days
Residents of Johannesburg are set to face a major water supply disruption this weekend, as Johannesburg Water has announced a three-day shutdown for critical maintenance. From Friday, 31 January to Monday, 3 February 2025, thousands of households will be left without water due to the installation of new isolation valves at the Hector Norris Pump Station.
This planned maintenance is part of Johannesburg Water’s ongoing efforts to improve its service delivery, but it comes at a time when residents are still recovering from last week’s 24-hour water cut caused by maintenance on the Palmiet System. This previous shutdown already left areas like Sandton, Midrand, and central Johannesburg without water for a full day, and the system may take up to five days to fully recover.
ALSO READ: Water Shutdown Alert: These Johannesburg Areas Will Be Without Water This Weekend
What is the Cause of the Shutdown?
The upcoming shutdown is necessary for the installation of new isolation valves, which will help streamline water supply management and minimize future disruptions. However, this essential maintenance work means that several areas across Johannesburg will be without water for the weekend.
Johannesburg Water explained that these maintenance operations are crucial for improving service delivery, but they also warned that the recovery process from the earlier shutdown is not expected to be completed in time for this weekend’s maintenance, causing a compounded impact on the water supply.
Affected Areas
A wide range of areas in Johannesburg will be impacted by this water shutdown. The following areas will experience a disruption in their water supply from Friday, 31 January until the evening of Monday, 3 February 2025:
- Abbotsford
- Albertville
- Amalgam
- Berea
- Bezuidenhout Valley
- Bramfontein
- Bruma
- Cheltondale
- City West
- Coronationville
- Craighall
- Crown City
- Cyrildene
- De Wetshof
- Doornfontein
- Dunhill
- Emmarentia
- Fairmount
- Fordsburg
- Forest Town
- Greenside
- Hillbrow
- Houghton
- Hyde Park
- Illovo
- Jeppestown
- Johannesburg CBD
- Kenilworth
- Kensington
- Killarney
- La Rochelle
- Linksfield
- Lorentzville
- Malvern
- Mayfair
- Melrose
- Melville
- Montclare
- Mountain View
- New Doornfontein
- Newlands
- Oaklands
- Observatory
- Parktown
- Parkview
- Richmond
- Rossetenville
- Sandringham
- Saxonwold
- Selby
- Westbury
- Yeoville
This list includes both residential and commercial areas, as well as parts of Johannesburg’s central business district. Residents are urged to plan ahead, as this outage will affect daily activities and routines.
What Are the Alternatives?
During the shutdown, Johannesburg Water has assured residents that water tankers will be deployed across affected areas. The locations of these tankers will be announced closer to the time, and essential services like medical facilities, schools, and retirement homes will be prioritized in the distribution of water.
However, businesses, especially those in affected areas such as malls and retail spaces, have been advised to prepare their backup water supplies in advance to minimize the impact of the shutdown on their operations.
Why is the Maintenance Necessary?
While the disruption is significant, Johannesburg Water emphasized that the maintenance is necessary for long-term improvements. The installation of new isolation valves at the Hector Norris Pump Station is aimed at improving water distribution and reducing the frequency and impact of future disruptions.
In addition, the maintenance will enable Johannesburg Water to respond more effectively to emergencies and improve overall water service delivery for the city’s growing population.
Impact on Residents and Businesses
For many residents in the affected areas, the three-day water shutdown will be a significant inconvenience. This is especially true for households that depend on a steady water supply for daily activities like cooking, cleaning, and hygiene.
Residents are advised to store sufficient water in advance and minimize water usage throughout the weekend. Businesses should also prepare for potential delays or disruptions, particularly in sectors that rely heavily on water for operations.
What Can You Do to Prepare?
If you live in one of the affected areas, it’s important to take the following steps to prepare for the water outage:
- Store water in advance, including bottled water for drinking and water for other essential activities like cooking and washing.
- Check for alternative water supply options, such as nearby water tankers or local shops selling water.
- Minimize water usage during the outage, especially if you are relying on backup supplies.
- Alert employees or clients about the water disruption if you run a business or service.
Johannesburg residents should brace for a challenging weekend ahead as Johannesburg Water’s critical maintenance causes a three-day water shutdown. While the long-term benefits of the maintenance are clear, the immediate impact will be felt across a large number of areas in Johannesburg. By preparing in advance and staying informed, residents can manage this disruption more effectively.
For more updates on water supply and maintenance activities, residents are encouraged to monitor Johannesburg Water’s official communication channels.
