PRETORIA — Tshwane residents are preparing for yet another wave of water cuts as Rand Water announces a significant maintenance project scheduled from Thursday through to Monday evening. The 107-hour operation on key water infrastructure comes amid an already severe water crisis in the region, exacerbated by successive pipe bursts that have left many households without water for nearly a week.
Ongoing Water Shortages Deepen in Pretoria and Surrounding Areas
For the past six days, residents of Tshwane have been struggling with an interrupted water supply after a critical pipe burst. Despite ongoing repairs, the City has not been able to provide a clear timeline for restoration, further heightening public frustration. To mitigate the impact, water tankers have been deployed to affected neighbourhoods, but many residents remain dissatisfied, citing poor communication from authorities.
This upcoming major maintenance by Rand Water aims to address critical infrastructure needs that underpin the water supply network servicing Pretoria and parts of Gauteng. However, it inevitably brings the risk of additional disruption to water availability during the scheduled 107-hour window.
Infrastructure Challenges Fuel Gauteng’s Water Crisis
Water shortages in Gauteng and the surrounding areas have been a growing concern, with some areas experiencing outages stretching back weeks or even months. According to Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, the root cause is not the ongoing maintenance at the Lesotho Highlands Water tunnel—which has been offline for six months—but rather the deteriorating infrastructure within municipalities themselves.
Minister Majodina stresses that local governments must prioritise repairing their ageing water systems to prevent recurring shortages. The Lesotho Highlands Water tunnel, which connects the Katse Dam to the Muela Power Station, is a major supply route but has been non-operational since late last year, compounding water supply challenges nationwide.
Businesses and Residents Scramble to Prepare for Planned Outages
With Rand Water’s major maintenance imminent, businesses in Pretoria and across Gauteng are racing to adapt their operations to minimise the impact. Many have turned to water storage solutions or adjusted their working hours to manage the anticipated cuts.
For residents, the looming water cuts add to mounting anxieties already fueled by unreliable supply and perceived slow municipal responses. The water crisis has highlighted the urgent need for sustained investment in water infrastructure and improved communication strategies to better inform the public during such disruptions.
The Road Ahead for Pretoria’s Water Supply
Pretoria’s struggle with water shortages is a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure. As Rand Water embarks on this essential maintenance phase, it underscores the delicate balance between necessary infrastructure work and the immediate water needs of communities.
Residents and businesses alike are encouraged to prepare accordingly, conserve water where possible, and stay informed through official channels. Gauteng News will continue to provide updates on the maintenance progress and any changes to the water supply status.
ALSO READ: Rand Water Kicks Off 107-Hour Winter Shutdown, Spends R400m Annually on Maintenance
