JOHANNESBURG – Gauteng residents and businesses are bracing for widespread water disruptions as Rand Water and Eskom embark on a 49-day planned maintenance project. At the same time, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has raised concerns over how the city manages water crises, calling for an urgent audit into municipal water tanker contracts.

The dual developments come as the city struggles with aging infrastructure and budget constraints, highlighting the growing pressure on the region’s water supply system.

Rand water schedules extensive 49-day network upgrades

According to an official statement from Rand Water, the bulk water supplier will team up with electricity utility Eskom to perform critical maintenance across its network from 29 May to 17 July, 2026.

Officials noted that the seven-week project is deliberately scheduled for the winter months when overall water demand is typically lower. The upgrades aim to improve pump reliability, increase the network’s capacity, and ensure the long-term stability of Gauteng’s water supply.

The planned maintenance will require shutting down parts of the network to complete several key technical tasks:

• Electrical work: Eskom will conduct essential electrical distribution maintenance at the Zuikerbosch and Palmiet purification plants.
• Engine upgrades: Teams will upgrade the raw water motors at the Zuikerbosch plant.
• Valve replacements: Crucial valves and bearings will be replaced at the Palmiet, Vereeniging, and Foresthill systems to prevent unexpected future breakdowns.
• Pipeline connections: Technicians will complete pipeline tie-ins within the Mapleton distribution network.

Because these tasks require turning off major pumps, water shortages are expected across a wide geographic area. Rand Water has issued a mandatory 21-day advance notice to all municipal customers, mines, large industries, and the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) to give them time to prepare contingency plans.

The primary areas facing disruptions include the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, and City of Ekurhuleni, alongside more than a dozen smaller local municipalities.

DA raises alarms over “emergency” tanker reliance

While water utilities focus on technical repairs, political leaders are questioning how local government handles the resulting shortages.

In a press statement released on May 15, 2026, Cllr Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the Leader of the DA Caucus in Johannesburg, argued that the city has become overly dependent on temporary fixes. The party expressed concern that Johannesburg Water frequently uses planned maintenance and unexpected outages to justify expensive, short-term emergency water tanker contracts.

The DA stated that the city has spent years relying on mobile tankers rather than investing in the fixing of permanent pipelines, reservoirs, and pump stations. According to the party, this reliance on emergency procurement lacks transparency and risks directing lucrative municipal work to preferred private contractors.

Budget strains and oversight delays

The situation is further complicated by financial challenges within the city’s water infrastructure budget. The DA reported that Johannesburg Water has acknowledged disruptions within its current tanker services because several private truck contractors have not been paid on time. As a result, some local tanker services are starting to fail just as the major 49-day maintenance window approaches.

Furthermore, the DA noted that the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) Committee – the city council body responsible for overseeing the water network – has had its meetings repeatedly cancelled, delaying crucial political oversight during a worsening supply situation.

Call for a five-point forensic audit

To ensure public funds are being used effectively to address the water shortages, the DA is formally requesting a comprehensive investigation. The party is calling for a full audit into the following five areas:

1. All active and past water tanker procurement contracts.
2. The exact number of JoJo tanks currently owned or leased by the City of Johannesburg.
3. All emergency supply chain decisions regarding the recent water outages.
4. The total amount of municipal money spent on mobile tanker services versus permanent repairs.
5. Clear consequence management for any officials responsible for financial or administrative failures.

Rand Water has promised to provide regular, transparent progress updates via its official media and social media channels throughout the seven-week maintenance period.