DELMAS/THEMBISILE HANI – Residents and businesses in the Victor Khanye and Thembisile Hani local municipalities have been urged to prepare for possible low water pressure and intermittent water supply during Rand Water and Eskom's planned infrastructure maintenance later this month.
The maintenance is scheduled to take place from 07:00 on Friday, 17 July 2026, until 19:00 on Sunday, 19 July 2026.
Rand Water said the work forms part of a joint maintenance programme aimed at improving the reliability and long-term sustainability of the bulk water supply system.
Phase 2 of the programme will include electrical maintenance by Eskom at the Zuikerbosch Purification Plant, as well as the completion of connections between existing and newly installed pipelines.
During the 60-hour maintenance period, pumping capacity across several Rand Water systems will be reduced. The Mapleton System will be shut down for 12 hours, while the Palmiet, Zwartkopjes and Eikenhof systems will continue operating at reduced capacity.
Rand Water warned that the reduced pumping capacity could result in low water pressure or intermittent water supply in affected municipal systems, including Victor Khanye and Thembisile Hani.
Thembisile Hani Local Municipality has already informed residents that water supply interruptions are expected between 17 and 19 July 2026.
According to the municipality, the affected areas include communities supplied through the Verena, Phumula/Somaroborho (Tweefontein), KwaMhlanga and Moloto water schemes.
"The affected areas will be augmented through water carts," the municipality said.
Residents have also been urged to use water sparingly throughout the maintenance period.
Rand Water said it had given affected municipalities 21 days' notice to implement contingency measures, including arranging alternative water supplies for critical facilities where necessary.
While Thembisile Hani has informed residents of the planned maintenance and outlined contingency measures, the Victor Khanye Local Municipality had not issued a public notice at the time of publication.
The municipality had also not responded to questions from Highveld Chronicle regarding affected areas or measures to minimise the impact on residents.
Residents are encouraged to store sufficient water for drinking, cooking and sanitation before the maintenance begins, use water sparingly and follow updates issued by their municipalities.
Rand Water said the planned maintenance is necessary to strengthen the reliability and long-term sustainability of the bulk water supply network.
