The City of Tshwane has announced that Eskom and Rand Water will undertake critical maintenance on the Palmiet and Zuikerbosch water systems from 29 May to 2 June 2026. The planned shutdown will last 4 days and is expected to disrupt water supplies in Mabopane and surrounding areas.
According to the City, the maintenance will affect Regions 1, 3, 4 and 6, as well as parts of Region 2. Mabopane falls within the affected zones.
Residents are urged to store enough water before 29 May to cover essential household needs during the outage, as reservoirs could run dry due to ongoing consumption during the shutdown.
Mabopane residents are being advised to prepare for the four-day interruption as Rand Water carries out work on key bulk supply systems. During this period, households will need to rely on stored water for cooking, cleaning, drinking and sanitation.
The City has warned that if water use is not reduced, available reservoir storage could be depleted earlier than anticipated. This means communities may experience shortages before the scheduled completion of the maintenance work.
The planned work forms part of Rand Water’s 2026 maintenance programme aimed at ensuring long-term supply reliability and preventing unplanned breakdowns later in the year. The Palmiet and Zuikerbosch systems supply water to large parts of Tshwane, making the work critical for system stability.
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead to minimise disruption. Households should fill containers and water tanks, check storage capacity and reduce non-essential water use in the days leading up to the shutdown. Simple measures such as postponing laundry, avoiding garden irrigation and repairing leaks can help stretch stored water over the four-day period.
Reducing consumption will help ensure that available water lasts throughout the maintenance window. The City has appealed to residents across the affected regions to cooperate so that supply is not exhausted before work is completed.
Early preparation is expected to lessen the impact on families, schools and small businesses in Mabopane. Businesses that depend on water for daily operations are encouraged to make contingency plans, while schools should prepare for limited water availability during school days that fall within the shutdown period.
