Joburg Water Outage
From 5 a.m. on 30 June to the early hours of 2 July 2025, Rand Water’s Eikenhof and Zwartkopjes water outages will throttle taps across Soweto, Randburg, Lenasia and more—here’s the full survival guide.
A Thirsty Tale Begins
Just as Gauteng’s winter sun yawns over the skyline, Johannesburg Water will twist two monumental valves, ushering in a 50‑hour dry spell that could leave kettles silent and showers weeping air. The shutdown—part of Rand Water’s province‑wide upgrade—runs from 05:00 SAST on Monday 30 June to roughly 07:00 SAST on Wednesday 2 July 2025.
Why Maintenance Matters
Ageing bulk pipelines, tiny leaks, and tired valves are getting a long‑overdue spa day. Crews will:
- Patch a Zuikerbosch Plant leak on the Eikenhof line (48 h job, pumping halved to 50%).
- Swap out cranky valves at Zwartkopjes Station (50 h job, pumping halted entirely).
Expect pressure plummets first, then outright silence as reservoirs drain.
Who’s in the Splash Zone?
| System | Suburbs / Reservoirs | Duration | Pumping Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eikenhof | Hursthill, Brixton, Crosby • Lenasia • Randburg & Roodepoort • Soweto • Crown Gardens Res • Eagles Nest Res • Aeroton Res | 48 h | 50 % |
| Zwartkopjes | Crown Gardens • Eagles Nest Res • Parktown • Berea • Forrest Hill • Alan Manor • Naturena • Hector Norris Pump Stn | 50 h | 0 % |
(Eyeballing Hyde Park, Ridgeway, Nasrec and Parktown North? They’re on standby too.)
RELATED: 16 Days of Water Outages in Joburg, Pretoria, and Ekurhuleni: List of Affected Areas
Prep Like a Pro – Before the Taps Run Dry
- Bottle It Up: Aim for 3 L of drinking water per person per day, plus a bucket or two for flushing.
- Stash & Seal: Fill bathtubs (drop a teaspoon of bleach / 100 L) and seal lids on drums to keep mozzies out.
- Chill the Laundry: Postpone that mountain of washing; machines guzzle more than you think.
- Cook Clever: Plan no‑water meals—think braai, pasta salads, or bunny chows that don’t need endless rinsing.
- Follow the Drip Feed: Track @JHBWater on X and sign up for WhatsApp alerts for tanker‑drop schedules.
During the Outage – Staying (Relatively) Sane
- Water Tankers: Johannesburg Water says bowsers will roll out only after the first 24 hours, so ration early.
- Community Points: Schools, clinics and malls often host additional JoJo tanks—keep an ear out for councillor groups.
- Garden Hack: Greywater (shower/bath runoff) keeps pot‑plants perky—skip veggies unless it’s potable.
The Big Comeback – What Happens After 2 July?
Even when pumps roar back, pressure won’t rebound instantly; high‑lying ‘burbs could stay parched several days. Crack‑open taps slowly to bleed trapped air and prevent brown surges.
Looking Ahead – More Ripples on the Horizon
This outage is Phase 2 of Rand Water’s winter blitz; wider 19‑day and 21‑day throttling cycles hover through mid‑July. Stock that emergency water shelf now—you’ll thank your future self.
Need Help?
| Service | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg Water Call Centre | 086 056 2874 | 24/7, log burst pipes too |
| Rand Water SMS | SMS “Water” & suburb to 45774 | Small fee applies |
| City of Joburg Emergency | 011 375 5911 | Multi‑utility hotline |
Quick Reference – Outage Snapshot
Start: 30 June 2025 @ 05:00
End: 2 July 2025 @ ~07:00
Systems: Eikenhof (50 % pumping) & Zwartkopjes (no pumping)
Key Suburbs: Soweto, Randburg, Roodepoort, Lenasia, Parktown, Berea, Naturena, Crown Gardens, more
Prep: Store water, monitor @JHBWater, expect tankers after 24 h
