JOHANNESBURG — Rand Water has warned Gauteng residents to prepare for widespread water supply disruptions due to an extensive maintenance project beginning today, 19 May 2026.

The bulk water supplier, in partnership with Eskom, will service the Palmiet and Zuikerbosch water systems in a phased infrastructure rollout concluding on 17 July 2026.

The maintenance will impact numerous municipal reservoirs and water towers across the province, but officials confirmed it will not cause a continuous two-month shutdown.

Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo stated that the first major maintenance phase will run from Friday, 29 May until Tuesday, 2 June, followed by a final two-day phase ending on 17 July.

Maroo noted that the weeks between these dates will serve as an infrastructure recovery period to ensure taps do not run completely dry.

The utility stated the shutdown is essential to secure the long-term reliability of Gauteng’s bulk water network.

Johannesburg Water has urged residents to use water sparingly, while local municipalities prepare contingency measures to manage supply drops.