Central SA
Emfuleni to embark on 16-day planned water shutdown─── ZENANDE MPAME 14:46 Wed, 14 May 2025
Residents of the Emfuleni municipality have been urged to make a plan for alternative water ahead of the 16-day planned water shutdown.
Water in the surrounding Emfuleni areas will be shut down from Friday, 30 May to Saturday, 14 June, the shutdown is planned to allow Rand Water to conduct evaluations and cleaning operations of the Sasolburg Reservoir.
Residents living at Bedworthpark, Boipatong, Bonanne, Bophelong, Bophelong Extensions, Sharpeville, Tshepiso, and Vanderbijlpark will be affected by the shutdown.
“There will be a total shutdown of the water supply due to the fact that there is much-needed, long-awaited maintenance that needs to take place,” said Emfuleni FF Plus spokesperson Gerda Senekal.
“There is currently already a tender out for extra water tankers at water points for residents. Unfortunately, there will be water supply first for clinics, hospitals, and schools, and thereafter, residential.”
We urge all residents in these affected areas to make much-needed plans to provide water for themselves, she said.
During the proposed 16-day shutdown, the reduced pressure of the A15 pipeline will result in water supply disruptions that will affect Bedworthpark, Sharpeville, and Vanderbijlpark Reservoir meters.
“Regrettably, the shutdown cannot be rescheduled anymore on account of regulatory requirements for ensuring reservoir and public safety,” said Emfuleni spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni. “Alternative water supply measures will be made by the municipality during the shutdown.”
The municipality restored and repaired Pressure Reduction Valves in Bedworthpark. Photo: Facebook/Emfuleni Local Municipality
“The municipality appreciates your understanding and cooperation; we apologise for the inconvenience.”
Recently, the municipality restored and repaired Pressure Reduction Valves in Bedworthpark after they were vandalised, resulting in zonal water network pressure surges and scattered pipe bursts, he said.
Meanwhile, residents of Hertzogville in the western Free State have been left without water for at least four weeks following recent heavy rains and flooding that severely damaged critical municipal infrastructure.
OFM News reports that the crisis began in early April when excessive rainfall led to flooding of the Vaal River.
The Tokologo Municipality issued a notice alerting residents to the severity of the situation, explaining that the flooding had impacted key infrastructure at the town’s main water treatment facility.
