By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bulk water supplier Rand Water has announced a crtical infrastructure maintenance programme from Thursday until Monday.
The maintenance is scheduled from 29 May at 3am and is expected to be concluded on 2 June at 5 pm.
The Rand Water maintenance program will affect areas in Johannesburg served by the Palmiet, Eikenhof, Mapleton, and Zwartkopjes pumping stations.
Specifically, the City of Johannesburg’s Klipriviersberg area, along with Sandton, Alexandra Park, South Hills, Randjieslaagte, Linksfield, and Midrand systems, will be impacted.
Additionally, parts of Johannesburg central, including the Eagles Nest, Crown Gardens, Aeroton, and Alan Manor reservoirs, will experience water supply disruptions.
Rand Water Group Chief Executive Sipho Mosai explained the major maintenance, its timing and importance in relation to compliance.
“We conduct our maintenance periodically. But periodically we mean throughout the year, both the financial and the calendar year. We spend close to R400 million per annum as Rand Water on a yearly basis on repairs and maintenance,”Mosai said.
Mosai outlined how this substantial budget is strategically utilised during specific periods when water consumption naturally decreases, allowing for comprehensive infrastructure work while reducing disruption to consumers.
“What we do is that we conduct our major maintenance through what we call low-demand periods. The first low demand period is the winter months. Generally, the water consumption or usage drops in winter for a number of reasons,”he stated.
Mosai detailed how seasonal consumption patterns allow Rand Water to maximise the value of its R400 million annual investment by scheduling major work when demand is lowest.
“The first is obviously households shy away from topping their swimming pools. Secondly, we mostly see that consumers use water for their lawns and taps. [However, during] this period of time, kikuyu grass, the main one that is used in South Africa, becomes dominant; as a result, in the period of May, June, July, and leading all the way to August, the demand drops,” Mosai explained.
This strategic timing ensures the utility can conduct extensive infrastructure work while minimising the impact on already water-stressed communities, making the substantial maintenance investment more effective.