Rand Water maintenance raises alarm as Gauteng braces for months of supply disruption

SAHRC opens probe into province-wide water shortages

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched an inquiry into the water crisis in Gauteng following numerous complaints about persistent shortages, service delivery failures and ageing infrastructure. The commission said the disruptions have severely impacted communities, with particular concern for poor and marginalised residents, informal settlements, schools, health-care facilities and social care institutions.

The SAHRC warned the recurring outages raise serious concerns about the enjoyment of constitutional rights, including rights to dignity, equality, life, health care, a healthy environment and access to sufficient water.

Why the maintenance is happening and who was warned

Rand Water said the work at Palmiet and Zuikerbosch involves critical electrical infrastructure required to ensure system reliability. The utility and Eskom scheduled the work for winter, which they described as a traditionally low-water-demand period.

Rand Water has issued a 21-day notice to affected municipalities, industries and direct customers to allow time for contingency planning and to minimise consumer disruption.

Municipal concerns and local impact

Joburg Water and the City of Tshwane issued statements to notify residents of the upcoming outages. In Pretoria East, DA ward councillor Jacqui Uys warned that residents there can expect little to no water from 29 May to 19 July, and explained that household reservoirs will temporarily buffer supply before and after the cut.

DA councillor Leon Kruyshaar, representing west Pretoria, raised doubts about whether municipalities will meet Rand Water’s timelines.

Experts warn outages may be longer than planned

WaterCAN’s Ferrial Adam cautioned that while maintenance is important, municipal systems are weak and recovery can be difficult. She said short outages often last longer than announced, noting that a planned two-day outage can become a five-day one.

“Maintenance is very important, but they are saying people are overreacting and there’s no need to be afraid. Systems are so weak on the municipal sides that recovery becomes difficult.”

Adam also said that although Rand Water has asked municipalities to have more tankers available, that measure is not sufficient on its own.

What residents have been told

• Rand Water issued a 21-day notice to affected municipalities, industries and direct customers.
• Authorities scheduled maintenance for May–July during winter to reduce demand pressure.
• Pretoria East may experience very low to no water from 29 May to 19 July, according to a DA councillor.

The SAHRC inquiry and warnings from civil-society groups reflect growing concerns that planned maintenance, combined with fragile municipal systems, could leave households and essential services without reliable water for longer than anticipated. Investigation and municipal contingency planning remain under close public scrutiny.