As Phase Three of Johannesburg Water's multi-phase maintenance program begins on 6 January 2026, residents in Soweto, Roodepoort and surrounds face low pressure and outages from a 54-hour Eikenhof shutdown. Reservoirs were pre-filled, tankers deployed; this follows Phase One disruptions and Phase Two postponement.
Johannesburg Water launched Phase Three of its critical maintenance on 6 January 2026 at 04:00, shutting down the Eikenhof pumping station until 8 January at 08:00. Full system recovery may take up to seven days, with low pressure or outages in elevated areas.
A 5 January media briefing at Turbine Hall detailed impacts on specific reservoirs: Roodepoort Deep (Hamberg, Rand Leases, Roodepoort, Creswell Park); Meadowlands 1 & 2 (Meadowlands zones, Tshepo Themba, Dube, Central Western Jabavu Ext 1, Mofolo Central/North, Orlando West, Zondi, Mmesi Park); Fleurhof; Doornkop (Eldorado Park, Nancefield, Pimville, Devland); Braamfischer (Braamfischer, Meadowlands, Mmesi Park).
Mayor Dada Morero confirmed reservoirs filled to 70% capacity beforehand. Roaming and stationary tankers will support affected zones. “We acknowledge the inconvenience... this work is essential to safeguarding the city’s long-term water security,” he said, emphasising collaboration with Rand Water.
Context from prior phases: Announced in December 2025, Phase One (Zuikerbosch, 13-15 Dec) caused extended outages beyond schedule, e.g., Midrand. Phase Two (Eikenhof, 19-21 Dec) was postponed due to technical issues and rescheduled before June 2026.
Separate incident: Joburg Water resolved a sewage leak on 30 December 2025 in Johannesburg CBD and Bezuidenhout Valley from a blocked manhole. Chlorine flushing and repairs followed; 5 January tests showed no E. coli but elevated coliforms. Supplies restricted during final checks, with normal service imminent.
