Rand Water to shut taps across Joburg for 12-hour maintenance on 17 July

Rand Water will carry out a 12-hour maintenance shutdown across parts of Johannesburg on Friday, 17 July 2026, the utility confirmed.

When the shutdown will happen

The maintenance is scheduled to run from 7:00am until 7:00pm on 17 July. The utility’s spokesperson, Nombuso Shabalala, confirmed the timing and warned that the level of disruption will vary by suburb.

Which systems and areas will be affected

Johannesburg Water listed the Palmiet, Zwartkopjes and Eikenhof systems as the Rand Water infrastructure undergoing maintenance, which is linked to Eskom-related maintenance at the Zuikerbosch plant.

Customers supplied by the following systems will be affected: Sandton, Randjieslaagte, Midrand, Linksfield, South Hills, Crown Gardens, Commando (Brixton, Crosby and Hurst Hill), Randburg, Roodeport, Soweto, Lenasia, and CBD systems including Yeoville, Berea-Parktown, Alan Manor, Aeroton, Eagles Nest and Parktown.

Expected impact and recovery

Johannesburg Water said customers on affected systems can expect low water pressure to no water for the duration of the 12-hour maintenance.

The utility warned that although the shutdown itself will last 12 hours, full recovery of water pressure across the affected systems could take several days after the maintenance.

Advice to residents

Shabalala urged households to prepare in advance.

“Residents are further encouraged to store enough water for essential household use ahead of the maintenance.”

She also said:

“Johannesburg Water will provide regular updates throughout the maintenance period.”

What to do now

• Store water for essential household use ahead of the scheduled shutdown.
• Expect varying levels of disruption by suburb, from low pressure to no water.
• Follow updates from Johannesburg Water during the maintenance period.