State-owned power utility Eskom is preparing to embark on an eight-hour planned maintenance on the transformers that supply power at water utility Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant.

From 08h00 until 15h00 on Sunday, January 21, pumping capacity will be reduced at the Eikenhof, Palmiet and Mapleton systems.

During this period, Rand Water will also undertake a preventive maintenance task of replacing defective valves on the Q2 Pipeline that supplies water from the Eikenhof System.

Rand Water, which had officially notified its municipal customers regarding the upcoming project within the prescribed 21-day prior notice arrangement, said in a statement on Wednesday that some areas in the cities of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane may experience low pressure to no water supply owing to the maintenance work.

“The implementation of the project may also impact water supply to the local municipalities of Rand West, Mogale City, Merafong, Madibeng, Lesedi, Govan Mbeki, Rustenburg and Victor Khanye,” it said.

“This advance notice is intended to enable these entities to inform their respective customers, implement suitable contingency strategies and manage storage capacity at the municipal level effectively,” Rand Water said, noting that municipal customers who will or are likely to be impacted are expected to advise customers on the extent and the impact of water supply shortages in their respective areas.