Residents across Gauteng are being urged to prepare for possible prolonged water outages as Rand Water and Eskom begin a major maintenance programme expected to continue between May and July 2026. Concerns are growing that scheduled interruptions could leave some communities without water for several days longer than officially planned.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched an investigation into Gauteng’s worsening water crisis following complaints linked to recurring outages, ageing infrastructure and unreliable municipal water systems. The investigation comes as residents in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni prepare for one of the province’s largest planned maintenance periods in recent years.
Water activists and local councillors have warned that weak municipal recovery systems may cause disruptions to last significantly longer than scheduled.
ALSO READ: Planned Water Interruptions to Affect Ekurhuleni Residents From May to July 2026
SAHRC Investigates Gauteng’s Water Crisis
The South African Human Rights Commission confirmed it is investigating widespread complaints relating to persistent water shortages and service delivery failures across Gauteng.
According to SAHRC acting Gauteng manager Khululiwe Sithole, the commission is concerned about the impact the water crisis is having on vulnerable communities.
“The recurring disruptions in water supply raise serious concerns regarding the enjoyment of several constitutional rights, including the rights to dignity, equality, life, health care, a healthy environment and access to sufficient water,” Sithole said.
The commission said schools, healthcare facilities, informal settlements and low income communities remain among the hardest hit by ongoing supply disruptions.
Rand Water and Eskom Maintenance to Continue Until July
Rand Water confirmed that maintenance work at the Palmiet and Zuikerbosch systems will continue throughout May, June and July.
According to Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo, the maintenance involves critical electrical infrastructure necessary to improve long term system reliability.
The programme includes:
- Electrical infrastructure upgrades
- Pump station maintenance
- Reservoir management
- Pipeline work
- Eskom related maintenance
Maroo said the work was deliberately scheduled during winter because water demand is traditionally lower during colder months.
Rand Water also confirmed that municipalities, industries and direct customers received a 21 day notice ahead of the planned shutdowns.
Areas Across Gauteng Expected to Be Affected
Municipalities including Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni have already warned residents about possible supply interruptions.
Affected communities may experience:
- Low water pressure
- Intermittent water supply
- Complete outages in some areas
- Slow recovery after maintenance
Several suburbs in Pretoria East are expected to face particularly severe disruptions between 29 May and 19 July.
Pretoria Residents Fear Longer Water Outages
DA councillor Jacqui Uys warned that residents in parts of Pretoria East may experience prolonged periods with limited water access.
She said many residents underestimate how long it takes reservoirs to recover once supply systems restart.
“When the water supply is cut, water in your home will not be immediately off because reservoirs still have water. Then, when supply returns, reservoirs still need time to refill before households receive water again,” Uys explained.
She encouraged residents to begin storing water before interruptions begin rather than during active shutdown periods.
According to Uys, reducing water consumption before scheduled maintenance may help reservoirs retain supply for longer.
WaterCAN Warns Recovery Systems Are Weak
Water advocacy organisation WaterCAN warned that infrastructure weaknesses at municipal level may worsen the impact of the planned shutdowns.
WaterCAN’s Ferrial Adam said maintenance itself is necessary, but recovery systems remain unreliable.
“Systems are so weak on the municipal side that recovery becomes difficult,” Adam said.
She warned that scheduled two day outages frequently become five day disruptions because municipalities struggle to restore systems efficiently.
Adam also raised concerns about water tanker availability and emergency contingency planning.
Questions Raised Over Municipal Preparedness
Several local councillors questioned whether municipalities are adequately prepared for the scale of the maintenance programme.
Concerns include:
- Limited water tanker capacity
- Delayed emergency responses
- Poor communication
- Ageing infrastructure
- Reservoir recovery delays
DA councillor Leon Kruyshaar claimed previous maintenance projects failed to meet official restoration deadlines.
“It’s always the same. Either they start late or finish much later. They never keep to their own timeframes,” he said.
Why Gauteng’s Water Infrastructure Is Under Pressure
Experts say Gauteng’s growing population and ageing infrastructure continue placing pressure on bulk water systems.
Challenges affecting the province include:
- Population growth
- Urban expansion
- Ageing pipelines
- Reservoir strain
- Electricity disruptions
- Infrastructure maintenance backlogs
- Municipal management challenges
Water analysts warn that recurring breakdowns and maintenance periods may become increasingly common if long term infrastructure upgrades are delayed.
How Residents Can Store and Save Water During Outages
Water experts say residents should begin storing water before interruptions start rather than waiting until systems are already under pressure.
Officials recommend using clean, sealed containers and rotating stored water regularly to maintain hygiene and safety.
Tips for Storing Water Safely
Residents are encouraged to:
- Fill clean buckets, bottles and containers at least a day before outages begin
- Store drinking water separately from cleaning water
- Keep containers covered and away from direct sunlight
- Use larger containers or bathtubs for flushing and cleaning water
- Freeze bottles of water ahead of time to help preserve food during outages
- Use clean utensils when collecting stored water
Ways to Reduce Water Usage During Interruptions
Residents may also help preserve limited supply by:
- Taking shorter showers
- Delaying laundry where possible
- Reusing grey water for flushing toilets
- Avoiding unnecessary outdoor water use
- Fixing leaking taps and pipes before outages begin
Water experts warn that recovery periods after large scale maintenance often place additional pressure on municipal systems, particularly in high lying communities.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For Gauteng residents, the latest maintenance programme highlights growing concerns around water reliability, ageing infrastructure and municipal service delivery.
The planned shutdowns may affect:
- Households
- Schools
- Hospitals and clinics
- Restaurants and businesses
- Industrial operations
- Informal settlements
- Daily sanitation and commuting routines
Communities supplied through high lying pumping systems are expected to experience slower recovery times than lower lying areas.
The situation also raises broader concerns about Gauteng’s long term water security as urban demand continues increasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Rand Water conducting maintenance?
Rand Water says the maintenance involves critical electrical and water infrastructure upgrades needed to improve system reliability.
How long will the maintenance continue?
The maintenance programme is expected to continue between May and July 2026.
Could outages last longer than scheduled?
Yes. Water activists and councillors warn that recovery delays may extend outages beyond official timelines.
Which areas could be affected?
Communities across Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni may experience low pressure or water outages.
Is the SAHRC investigating the water crisis?
Yes. The South African Human Rights Commission confirmed it is investigating widespread complaints linked to water shortages and service delivery disruptions.
What Happens Next?
Rand Water and Eskom are expected to continue phased maintenance work throughout winter while municipalities monitor reservoir levels and recovery systems across Gauteng.
The South African Human Rights Commission is also expected to continue its investigation into the province’s water challenges as concerns grow around infrastructure reliability, municipal preparedness and long term water security.
