Rand Water is preparing to embark on its next planned water infrastructure maintenance project this week.

On Friday, the utility will start repairs of the B1/B2 pipeline leak at Zuikerbosch, which will impact the Zwartkopjes system, with pumping reduced to 70% for 36 hours from 05:00.

Impacting the Eikenhof system will be the Eikenhof flexibility project, which will result in pumping reduced to 20% for 86 hours from 07:00 on December 13.

The maintenance project is designed to enhance system availability, reliability and efficiency.

The maintenance work is typically scheduled during periods of low demand and the timing also allows for quicker system recovery once the maintenance is completed, Rand Water said in a statement.

“December is particularly suitable for such work owing to the closure of industries and by extension, the temporary depopulation of Gauteng province as residents travel for holidays.”

Rand Water previously issued a 21-day notice to all affected municipal customers and industries to enable adequate time for municipalities to implement contingency measures to minimise possible disruptions to consumers.

The maintenance projects followed the successful completion of the pipeline leak repair on the J10 on December 6.