Johannesburg: Rand Water has successfully completed the first phase of its large-scale planned maintenance programme, with major pumping stations, including Mapleton and Eikenhof, resuming operations at full capacity on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. The City of Ekurhuleni confirmed that both the primary maintenance work and associated opportunity projects undertaken between 29 May and 2 June had been completed as scheduled. "Rand Water is supplying at full capacity. The systems under the municipalities are in the recovery phase," the city said in a social media update.
According to South African Government News Agency, the maintenance programme is part of Rand Water's broader infrastructure improvement initiative affecting the Palmiet and Zuikerbosch systems. The works, scheduled between 29 May and 17 July 2026, aim to strengthen the reliability and long-term sustainability of water supply infrastructure across several provinces. The maintenance focuses on critical electrical and pumping infrastructure upgrades designed to improve operational flexibility and system resilience.
The utility previously warned that temporary pump shutdowns during the maintenance period could result in water supply disruptions affecting municipalities, industries, and direct customers. Major maintenance activities include Eskom-related electrical work at the Zuikerbosch and Palmiet systems, installation and upgrading of motors at Zuikerbosch Raw Water Engine Room 4, and replacement of critical valves and thrust bearings at the Palmiet, Vereeniging, and Foresthill systems, as well as M11 pipeline cross-connections within the Mapleton system.
The maintenance programme affects parts of Gauteng, the North West, Free State, and Mpumalanga provinces. Municipalities impacted by the project include Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Mogale City, West Rand, Merafong, Rustenburg, Madibeng, Lesedi, Victor Khanye, Govan Mbeki, Thembisile Hani, Midvaal, Emfuleni, Metsimaholo, Ngwathe, and the Royal Bafokeng Administration. Several industries, mining operations, and direct customers, including Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), may also experience supply disruptions during maintenance activities.
Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane has reported continued improvement in its water distribution network following the completion of the first phase of Rand Water's maintenance programme. "Most of the city's reservoirs, towers, and supply systems have remained stable throughout the recovery period, with water supply being maintained across most affected areas," City of Tshwane said in a statement.
According to Rand Water, the Palmiet System is currently operating at approximately 89% capacity as the network continues to stabilise. Despite not yet reaching full operational capacity, the city noted that steadily improving reservoir storage levels indicate a gradual return to normalcy in the city's water network. "All affected systems are showing signs of improvement, and recovery efforts continue to yield positive results across the network," the city said.
The second phase of the planned maintenance programme is scheduled to commence on 17 July 2026, as part of Rand Water's ongoing efforts to modernise critical water infrastructure and enhance long-term supply security.