The second phase of essential water infrastructure maintenance in Johannesburg begins on December 19, raising concerns for residents still recovering from extended outages in the first phase. This work targets the Eikenhof system and could affect supplies in several southern areas until December 21. Experts warn that full recovery may take days, potentially impacting holiday plans.
Johannesburg's water supply faces another test as phase two of major maintenance work commences on the evening of December 19. Scheduled to last 54 hours until midnight on December 21, the operation involves replacing critical valves and repairing pipelines in the Eikenhof system, a key bulk supplier to the city's network. During this period, no water will be pumped from the affected meters, leading to reduced pressure or outages in connected areas.
The most impacted neighborhoods include Power Park, Doornkop and surrounding communities, Zondi, Braamfischer, Chiawelo, and Lenasia. These southern suburbs, which rely on Eikenhof, may experience weak flow especially in higher elevations. Officials from Johannesburg Water have emphasized that reservoirs will require time to refill post-maintenance, meaning normal supply might not return immediately after the shutdown ends.
This follows phase one, which started on December 13 and was intended for just 48 hours but extended longer for some, including unexpected disruptions in the Commando system and Hursthill 1 and 2 reservoirs. Water began returning mid-week for many, underscoring the infrastructure's fragility.
Dr Ferrial Adam, director of civil society group WaterCAN, highlighted the poor timing near Christmas. "The timing of the maintenance has heightened anxiety on the ground, particularly because recovery from Phase One took longer than initially communicated," she told reporters. She noted assurances that the Commando system should avoid impact this time but cautioned southern residents about possible low pressure or intermittent supply. Adam also criticized the reliance on water tankers, stating, "There’s no way water tankers can supply the number of people affected," and warned of potential violations of legal minimum water access standards.
Johannesburg Water has deployed around 80 tankers citywide, including 16 owned by the entity, with schedules now published. However, Adam pointed to uneven distribution during phase one and ongoing dependence in central areas since September as evidence of systemic issues. She urged better planning from both Johannesburg Water and bulk supplier Rand Water, arguing that holiday scheduling ignores heightened home demand and recovery delays, risking disruptions to family gatherings and hygiene.
