Residents in some parts of Soshanguve have endured ongoing water shortages due to Rand Water’s 14-day maintenance work at the Hartebeesthoek Reservoir.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/ Independent Newspapers
Residents of Soshanguve township are frustrated after taps ran dry over the weekend, with no clear timeline for when water will be restored.
The City has attributed the ongoing water outage to planned maintenance at the Hartebeesthoek Reservoir, which started on May 9 and is expected to last until May 23, 2025.
Affected areas include parts of Soshanguve East, specifically Blocks VV, XX, UU, WW, and L.
Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said: “The areas you are enquiring about are on the list of reservoirs that are likely to experience low to no water pressure. This alert was also posted on our social media platforms.”
According to the alert, the City received notice from Rand Water about planned maintenance at the reservoir.
Mashigo said: “During the 14-day period, the water utility will be intensively cleaning and maintaining the Hartebeesthoek Reservoir.”
The Hartebeesthoek Reservoir, according to the City, supplies water to several areas, including Soshanguve DD and L, Ga-Rankuwa, Kruisfontein, Mabopane Reservoirs, Nkwe Estate, SA Breweries, and BMW in Rosslyn.
“According to Rand Water, an alternative supply through a bypass method will be used to feed reservoirs and direct zones, which are located downstream of the Hartebeesthoek Reservoir,” Mashigo said.
However, he noted that water volume will be reduced during morning and afternoon peak hours, especially in the Soshanguve L Reservoir, which is the most sensitive area.
“As a result, consumers in the supply areas are therefore requested to use water sparingly during this period to prevent reservoirs or systems from running dry,” he said.
Residents have, however, vented their frustration on social media over the water outage caused by maintenance.
"No water in Block G since Saturday at 7pm. No updates, please restore our supply," one resident posted.
Another complained: "No water tankers, no bypass as promised - nothing. It seems you decided to do maintenance without proper planning."
A third resident lamented: "I am so tired of complaining about water. We went without it for a week, and just when we thought things were fine, we're back to this. What is going on? It feels like it is because we're from Soshanguve and poor. When will this change? Maybe if all Soshanguve residents moved to the suburbs, we would get better treatment."
Meanwhile, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya cautioned Montana residents to be aware of misinformation as bulk water infrastructure maintenance begins, following social media reports of water discolouration in Region 2, Montana and surrounding areas.
“These reports come at a time when the City has scheduled maintenance of the bulk water system in the reservoir that supplies the Montana area,” she said.
Moya said regular maintenance and cleaning of bulk water systems are necessary to ensure safe and reliable water supply, protecting the system's integrity.
“The cleaning of the Montana Reservoir has necessitated the need to institute temporary water interruptions in Montana and its surrounds. Cleaning and maintenance are expected to happen between 12 and 14 May 2025,” she said.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za