Water disruptions are a reality that Pretoria residents face as Rand Water and the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality commence a large-scale planned water outage. This water shutdown, starting today, affects major parts of the city as vital infrastructure repairs are underway. The Pretoria water outage has understandably caused concern, but several water collection points have been established to assist communities during this challenging period.
What You Need to Know About the Pretoria Water Outage
The planned water shutdown is part of essential maintenance to repair critical infrastructure that supplies water to Pretoria. This preventative measure will cut water from key reservoirs, leading to disruptions across large parts of the city. Residents are advised to prepare accordingly, as the outage may last for several days.
While such disruptions are inconvenient, they are necessary to secure a more reliable water supply in the future. However, the immediate impact means many households and businesses must find alternative water sources during this period.
Where to Find Water: Official Water Collection Points in Pretoria
Understanding the challenges ahead, AfriForum has taken proactive steps by setting up emergency water distribution points across Pretoria. These water collection points aim to provide essential access to clean water for affected communities.
Here are the designated AfriForum emergency water points and their operating hours:
Moreletapark
- Location: Woodglen Complex
- Hours: 16:30 – 20:00
Garsfontein
- Location: NG Kerk Valleisig
- Hours: 07:00 – 19:00
Moot Area (24-Hour Access)
- Laerskool Pierneef
- Laerskool Villieria
- Dorpskantoor (Town Office)
- Laerskool Wonderboom
Residents are reminded to bring their own clean containers when collecting water. The 24-hour availability at key schools and the town office in the Moot area provides much-needed flexibility for those working or unable to collect water during standard hours.
Community Efforts and Calls for Better Planning
AfriForum has criticised the Tshwane Metro’s reactive approach to managing crises like these. According to Arno Roodt, AfriForum District Coordinator for Greater Pretoria South, the city often responds only after the situation escalates, highlighting a persistent lack of forward planning.
“The metro jumps into action only once a crisis erupts. That’s why we plan ahead — to ensure communities are resilient and ready,” Roodt said.
He emphasises the power of united communities in mitigating the effects of government shortcomings:
“The city often lets us down, but united communities seldom do.”
AfriForum’s stance serves as a call to action for residents, families, and businesses to develop their own emergency water plans ahead of future outages.
Preparing for Pretoria’s Water Future: What Residents Should Do
This Pretoria water outage is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by ageing infrastructure and inadequate municipal planning. While AfriForum’s water collection points provide immediate relief, residents should consider longer-term preparations:
- Store sufficient clean water in containers for daily use.
- Identify reliable water collection points close to home or work.
- Create a community support network to assist vulnerable neighbours during outages.
- Stay updated on metro announcements and emergency services.
Planning ahead is vital, especially as AfriForum warns that this outage may signal deeper infrastructure failures on the horizon.
The Pretoria water outage disrupts daily life but also highlights the importance of community resilience and proactive planning. With emergency water collection points established by AfriForum and other community initiatives, residents have access to crucial resources during this shutdown.
To stay informed and prepared, keep an eye on local updates and engage with your neighbourhood support systems. Sharing this information with family and friends could make a significant difference.
ALSO READ: Rand Water Announces Planned Water Outages for May–June 2025: List of Affected Areas
