Rand Water is set to embark on the final phase of its extensive five-week maintenance project across Gauteng, with the water utility warning that it may take up to two weeks to fully recover after the completion of the maintenance work.

The project, which started on June 22 and is expected to wrap up by the end of July, has been disruptive for many, with taps in several areas across Gauteng running dry for several days, as the systems worked to recover following the conclusion of a 50-hour maintenance project on the Zuikerbosch water treatment plant on July 17.

During the maintenance period, some reservoirs across the cities of Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and Tshwane had experienced critically low levels, leading to low pressure or no water supply, particularly in high-lying areas.

Now Rand Water is preparing to start the last phase of its maintenance project on July 26, which will impact the normal pumping operations at the Mapleton and Palmiet Systems.

Rand Water, in a statement, said it is aware of the concerns that have been raised by its municipal customers regarding the slow recovery period of the systems during the maintenance work.

“Admittedly, there may be short-term inconveniences, such as low pressure to no water supply, but the long-term benefits are unparalleled. It is crucial to highlight that this maintenance work must be completed as scheduled to prepare for the high demand season,” the utility commented.

Rand Water further advised that the systems may take up to two weeks to fully recover after the completion of the maintenance work. However, different areas recover earlier than others owing to the design hydraulics of the systems.

“Rand Water has requested the affected municipalities to advise their customers on the extent and the impact of water supply in their respective areas, with the affected municipalities committing to continue providing alternative water supply to the residents.”

Maintenance work at the Mapleton System will start at 03h00 on July 26, with no pumping from this system for 77 hours until completion at 08h00 on July 29.

The project comprises the connection of the newly constructed engine room to the existing infrastructure, as well as final installation work to achieve commissioning of the new disinfection plants. In addition, the maintenance work will include the replacement of various valves.

Water users across the cities of Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, as well as the local municipalities of Thembisile Hani, Lesedi, Govan Mbeki and Victor Khanye will be affected.

Rand Water’s critical reservoirs that will be affected during the maintenance period include Brakpan, Vlakfontein, Selcourt, Wildebeesfontein, Stompiesfontein, Modder East and Bronberg.

Meanwhile, maintenance work to provide flexibility, along with the replacement of various valves, at the Zuikerbosch water treatment plant’s engine room 2 will impact water supply to the Palmiet pumping station.

Rand Water will undertake this work from 05h00 on July 29 to 21h00 on July 30, when pumping at the Palmiet pumping station will be at 76%, with 24% of the pumping capacity out of production.

Municipal customers that will be affected by the maintenance work impacting Palmiet System are the cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, as well as the Madibeng local municipality, with the critical reservoirs, namely Klipriviersberg, Germiston, Meyers Hill, Klipfontein, Brakfontein and Hartebeeshoek, impacted.