Ekurhuleni braces for extended water outages in late May and early June 2025 due to critical infrastructure maintenance.
Ekurhuleni residents are urged to prepare for a series of major water outages – the longest lasting an eye-watering 107 hours – as part of the city’s efforts to overhaul its ageing water infrastructure.
The City of Ekurhuleni has announced three major planned water supply shutdowns, set to take place between the end of May and early June 2025. These maintenance operations, which will impact a wide range of suburbs and townships across Gauteng, are essential to improving system reliability and ensuring long-term efficiency.
What’s Happening?
The most significant disruption will occur from 29 May at 03h00 to 02 June at 17h00, with water supply halted for 107 hours. This is due to a major pipeline tie-in at Zuikerbosch, Station 5, affecting the Mapleton System.
Two additional shutdowns will follow on 3 June, targeting areas within the Palmiet System. These include:
- A 10-hour shutdown from 06h00 to 16h00 for Klipriviersberg isolation, to allow cleaning and inspection.
- A 12-hour outage for Russell Road meter installation, stretching from 06h00 to 18h00.
Why It Matters
While the disruptions are temporary, the maintenance comes at a time of escalating water supply challenges across Gauteng, with President Cyril Ramaphosa recently warning that the water crisis could become worse than load-shedding if not urgently addressed.
The upgrades aim to enhance plant availability, system reliability, and overall water supply resilience in one of South Africa’s most populous and economically critical regions.
Residents & Businesses: Be Prepared
- Water tankers will be deployed to assist residents in the affected areas.
- Citizens are urged to store water ahead of time and use it sparingly during the outage.
- Businesses and institutions are advised to maintain at least 36 hours of on-site water storage to mitigate operational disruptions.
Detailed Shutdown Table
| Reason | System Affected | Time | Length | Areas Affected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tie-in of B16 pipeline from Zuikerbosch, Station 5 | Mapleton System | From 29 May at 03h00 to 02 June 2025 at 17h00 | 107 hours | Parts of Morehill, Crystal Park, Putfontein AH, Hillcrest, Benoni AH, Cloverdene, Chief Albert Luthuli, Daveyton, Mayfield, Etwatwa, Apex, New Modder, Rynsoord, Brentwood Park AH; Fairleads, Vosloorus, Dawn Park, Windmill Park, Villa Liza, Mapleton AH, Katlehong South, Vosloorus Extension 20, Phumula, Rondebult, Rondebult Ext 1 & Ext 2, Buhle Park Helderwyk, Dal Park, Leachville, Dalview, Van Eck Park, Rand Collieries, Brakpan, Brakpan North, Larendale, Denne Oord, Minnebron, Sun Air Park, Sonneveld, Kenleaf, Brenthurst, Anzac, Sallies Village, Vulcania, Marievlei, Springs, Selcourt, New Era, Dal Fouche, Pollack Park, Daggafontein, Selection Park, Geduld, New State Areas, Strubenvale, Casseldale, Bakerton, Welgedacht, Persida, Alliance, Kingsway, Modder-East, Eastvale, Dersley Park, Presidents Dam, Krugersruss, Wright Park, Petersfield, Rowhill, East Geduld, Lodeyko, Edelweiss, Struisbult, Nuffield, Grootvlei Estate, Grootvally, Largo, Slovo Park, Reedville, Oranjehof, Payneville, Kwa-Thema Tsakani, Duduza, Langaville, Masechaba View, Bluegum View, John Dube, Nigel, Ferryvale, Noycedale, Visagie Park, Prosperita, Vorsterkroon, Pretoriusstad, Alra Park, Mackenzieville, Withok Estates, Geluksdal, Labore, Sharon Park, Dunnottar |
| Klipriviersberg isolation for cleaning & inspection | Palmiet System | From 03 June 2025 at 06h00 to 16h00 | 10 hours | Hughes, Witfield, Ravensklip, Boksburg North, Dayanglen, Morgan Ridge, Bedfordview, Senderwood, Essexwold |
| Russell Road meter installation | Palmiet System | 03 June 2025 from 06h00 to 18h00 | 12 hours | Norton Small Farms, Dinwiddie, Albemarle, Race Way Industrial, Castleview, Wychwood, Jupiter, South Germiston, Gosforth Park, Malvern East, Wadeville, Cruywagen Park, Roodekop X31 |
Government Warning: A National Concern
President Ramaphosa’s statement underscores the gravity of the situation. “If we do not act now, South Africa’s water crisis could lead to a disaster worse than load-shedding,” he said. Ekurhuleni’s bold maintenance move may be inconvenient in the short term, but it is a necessary step in securing long-term water security.
Forward Planning
Thankfully, no single area will be affected by more than one outage during this maintenance period. But residents are advised to:
- Stay informed via municipal SMS alerts and social media.
- Plan around school and work routines.
- Use water responsibly and sparingly during and after the maintenance period.
Stay prepared. Stay informed. And most importantly, stay water-wise.
Also read: Rand Water Announces Planned Water Outages for May–June 2025: List of Affected Areas
