Water System Maintenance to Impact Palmiet Network and Key Suburbs in Gauteng. Residents in parts of Gauteng are being urged to prepare for reduced water supply on Tuesday, as Joburg carries out scheduled maintenance on the Palmate Water System. The critical infrastructure work is expected to affect reservoirs and pressure in areas including Alexandra, Sandton, Midrand, and Links-field.
According to Joburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala, the maintenance is part of an ongoing effort to improve the stability and performance of Johannesburg’s water distribution network. The planned outage will start at 6:00 AM on Tuesday and is expected to last for approximately 10 hours.
The Palmist System, one of Johannesburg’s major supply pipelines, requires periodic maintenance to prevent long-term failures, leaks, and pressure inconsistencies. Tuesday’s intervention is considered essential, as Johannesburg continues to face challenges in ensuring reliable and uninterrupted services for its growing population.
“This maintenance is necessary to keep the system functioning optimally,” said Shabalala. “We understand the inconvenience it may cause, but this work is critical for future service reliability and pressure management.”
The affected reservoirs will be isolated temporarily during the maintenance, leading to significantly low pressure or even complete outages in some areas.
Water Supply Affected in Multiple Suburbs
Residents in these locations should expect low pressure or disruptions throughout the day on Tuesday. Joburg recommends that all households and businesses make necessary preparations, including storing enough water for the day and postponing any non-essential use.
To help minimise the inconvenience, Johannesburg Water has announced a contingency plan that includes the deployment of stationary and roaming tankers to supply water to the affected communities during the outage period.
“Tankers will be dispatched to key points in the affected suburbs, and we’ll continue monitoring the situation throughout the day to ensure the needs of residents are met,” Shabalala added.
While emergency water services will be made available, Johannesburg is appealing to residents to use sparingly during the maintenance period. Customers are advised to avoid filling pools, washing cars, or doing laundry during this time to conserve available supply.
“Efficient use of water is always important, but especially during periods of reduced supply,” said Shabalala. “We also urge residents to report any leaks or burst pipes immediately to avoid additional losses during the shutdown.”
The public can report water-related faults or issues by contacting the Joburg call centre or using the City of Johannesburg’s online platforms.
Johannesburg, like many urban centre in South Africa, faces mounting challenges in maintaining its aging infrastructure. Climate variability, population growth, and increasing demand have placed significant strain on the supply system.
To address these issues, Joburg has intensified infrastructure investment, maintenance, and public education on water conservation. The utility says this maintenance effort is just one of several scheduled interventions in the months ahead.
“These short-term interruptions are part of a larger plan to build a more resilient and responsive water network for Johannesburg’s future,” said Shabalala.
Residents have praised recent improvements in communication from Joburg, especially the proactive announcements about scheduled maintenance and service disruptions. In addition to media briefings, the utility has also utilised SMS alerts, social media, and community forums to update the public.
Shabalala emphasised that transparency is a key part of Joburg Water’s operational strategy. “We want to build trust with our customers by providing timely and accurate information. This allows people to plan better and avoid unnecessary frustration.”
Once the maintenance on the Palmate System is completed, it may take a few hours for pressure to normalise, especially in higher-lying areas. Johannesburg will monitor the situation closely and continue to support residents until full pressure is restored.
Source- EWN
