Rand Water will undertake a four-day maintenance at two pumping stations, which may disrupt water supply in Tshwane.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
After public outcry over the 14-day maintenance at Hartebeesthoek Reservoir, which was cut short last week due to its impact on Soshanguve and Mabopane residents, Rand Water is now planning a four-day maintenance at two pumping stations, likely to affect large parts of the City of Tshwane.
Starting next week, the water utility will undertake planned maintenance at its Mapleton and Palmiet booster pumping stations, and it has hinted at the possibility of residents facing water shortages during this time.
City of Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the water utility has informed the Metro about planned maintenance at its two pumping stations from May 29 to June 3, 2025, aimed at improving network reliability and efficiency.
According to Rand Water, the planned maintenance involves connecting the new B16 pipeline to Engine Room 3 at the Mapleton station.
Bokaba said the new B16 pipeline will supply water from Station 5 at the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant.
According to him, the work is expected to take four-and-a-half days, from May 29 to June 2.
“The water utility has forewarned Tshwane that there will be no pumping from its system for the duration of the work,” Bokaba said.
For the Palmiet system, the water utility will isolate the Klipriviersberg Master Reservoir on June 3, 2025, from 6am to 4pm for 10 hours.
Bokaba said: “This is to allow the water utility’s technicians to clean and conduct an inspection on the reservoir. During this period, pumping will be reduced to 67% at the Palmiet Station.”
The maintenance work is expected to impact Tshwane's meters and reservoirs supplied by both stations, resulting in low water pressure and potential disruptions to the water supply.
To mitigate the impact of a possible water supply interruption, Bokaba said, the city is planning to fill the affected reservoirs to over 80% a few days before the maintenance work.
However, he said, the supply may be interrupted during the upkeep period, and residents are therefore urged to use water sparingly.
“Our technicians will also ensure the optimal operation of the city’s water sources during the maintenance period. Roaming water tankers will be dispatched as and when the need arises,” he said.
The affected reservoirs and meters include Corobrick Plant, Carina Street Reservoir, Eersterust Reservoir, Elardus Park Reservoir, Garsfontein Reservoir, Kilner Park Reservoir, Koedoesnek LL Reservoir, Magalieskruin Reservoir, Mamelodi R1 and R2 Reservoirs, Montana Reservoir, and Moreleta Reservoir.
This follows last week's maintenance at Hartebeesthoek, which left Soshanguve and Mabopane residents frustrated without water, despite being scheduled to run until May 23, 2025.
However, after four days of maintenance and widespread complaints about water disruptions, the work was halted, and water supply was restored to households and businesses.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za