Water supply across Gauteng could possibly be impacted for nearly two months as State-owned power utility Eskom undertakes planned critical maintenance activities at water utility Rand Water’s Palmiet and Zuikerbosch sites.

Simultaneously, Rand Water will leverage the opportunity to carry out its own planned maintenance work, the water utility said in a statement issued on Friday evening.

Eskom’s maintenance of critical electrical infrastructure between May and July is essential for ensuring system reliability, improving pump availability and standby capacity, enhancing operational flexibility across key Rand Water systems and reducing the risk of plant trips and equipment failures.

Eskom and Rand Water have coordinated the planning of the work and have strategically scheduled it for the winter season, which is traditionally a low water demand period.

The key maintenance activities, scheduled from May 29 to July 17, include Eskom-related electrical maintenance at the Zuikerbosch and Palmiet systems; the installation and upgrading of motors at Zuikerbosch raw water engine room 4; the replacement of critical valves and thrust bearings at the Palmiet, Vereeniging and Foresthill systems and the M11 pipeline cross-connections within the Mapleton system.

During this period, Rand Water will need to switch off some of its pumps and this will result in water supply interruptions.

As a result of the planned maintenance activities, customers in the cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, as well as the local municipalities of Mogale City, Rand West, Merafong, Rustenburg, Madibeng, Lesedi, Victor Khanye, Govan Mbeki, Thembisile Hani, Midvaal, Emfuleni, Metsimaholo, Ngwathe and Royal Bafokeng Administration may be impacted.

Various industries, mines and direct customers, including Airports Company South Africa may also be affected.

“In line with its commitment to operational transparency and excellence, Rand Water has issued a 21-day notice to all affected municipalities, industries and direct customers. The notification is intended to provide all customers with sufficient time to implement contingency measures and minimise potential water supply disruptions to consumers.”

Rand Water will issue regular updates during the maintenance period through its official communication channels, including social media platforms to keep customers informed of the progress.