Planned maintenance work 'progressing as planned' - Rand Water

The maintenance project is part of Rand Water's proactive maintenance efforts to preserve the integrity and quality of potable water, to ensure uninterrupted supply to its municipal customers.

The first phase of the project began in Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) with the maintenance of the F5 Pipeline. 

This involved connecting the F16 Pipeline to the new F5 Pipeline, of which the task was completed nine hours ahead of schedule.

In a statement issued on Thursday evening, the water board said the current phase of the maintenance project is focusing on the Eikenhof, Mapleton and Zwartkopjes Systems.

"At the Eikenhof System, maintenance work includes, replacement of defective valves, cleaning the sedimentation tank at the Vereeniging Water Treatment Plant (VWTP) and new  flexibility connections including the interconnection of Waterval 1 and 2 Reservoirs to the Eikenhof System.

"The replacement of defective valves and Waterval work has been completed and the commissioning of the system has resumed. The cleaning of the sedimentation tank at the Vereeniging Water Treatment Plant is progressing as planned."

- Eikenhof System-

On Monday, pumping was reduced to 50 % for the first eight (8) hours and later increased to 67% as work progressed. Currently, maintenance work at the Eikenhof System is completed.

The following municipal customers may be affected:

• City of Johannesburg
• Merafong
• Rand West
• Mogale City
• Rustenburg
• Madibeng
• Royal Bafokeng
• Mines and industries

- Zwartkopjes System-

At the Zwartkopjes System, maintenance work began on Monday which included the replacement of defective valve at the VWTP, reducing pumping to 50% for 27 hours. 

Rand Water is pleased to report that the maintenance work at the Zwartkopjes System was completed on 25 June. 

However, normal pumping was temporarily disrupted on 26 June, at 18h30 due to a power supply failure. ESKOM technicians identified and repaired the fault, and pumping resumed early this morning, 27 June 2024.

The following reservoirs were affected by the power supply failure:

• Forest Hill
• Benoni
• Meredale
• Yeoville

The municipal customers affected include the Cities of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. All areas within  these cities supplied by the Zwartkopjes System and the above reservoirs were affected.

-Mapleton System-

Maintenance work at the Mapleton System began on Monday. This work involves upgrading the transformer to increase power supply capacity to Trichardt Pumping Station. 

Currently, the maintenance work is at 90% and is expected to be completed as scheduled. Pumping at Trichardt was not affected since generators were used as a backup.

-Palmiet System-

Maintenance work at the Palmiet System will commence on Friday, involving the tie in of the J7 Pipeline to the G17 and J6 Pipelines.

The following customers may be affected:

•  City of Johannesburg
•  City of Ekurhuleni
•  City of Tshwane
•  ACSA
•  SAA
•  Madibeng Local Municipality

Rand Water adds that the water board must undertake this maintenance work to extend the lifespan of its assets. 

"Rand Water has formally notified its municipal customers with a 21-day  notice period, allowing them to implement appropriate contingency plans and manage storage capacity accordingly. 

"Additionally, the organisation has requested municipalities to inform their customers about the extent and impact of water supply interruptions in their areas.

"Rand Water emphasises that the completion of the maintenance project does not mean immediate access to water supply, it is anticipated that it might take up to seven days for the system to fully recover and for all affected areas to receive water.

"The organisation has requested municipalities to inform their customers about the extent and impact of water supply interruptions in their respective areas and to make alternative arrangements in the form of  stationary and roaming water tankers to ensure that citizens continue to receive water."

ALSO READ