Rand Water Goes Under Maintenance For A Month; Customers Won't Be Affected

Utilities company Rand Water is all set to start infrastructure maintenance from this Saturday onwards, continuing until the end of July. This work is part of their winter maintenance plan.

Rand Water is responsible for supplying potable water across Gauteng province and other areas of the country, making it the largest water utility in Africa.

"Proactive infrastructure maintenance is important to preserve the quality and integrity of the infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs in the long term and increase the life span of the infrastructure and assets," the company said, SA News reported.

It explained that a maintained water infrastructure will ensure that South Africans get an uninterrupted water supply in the long run.

"As an organization, we have a solid Asset Management Strategy which provides a focused approach to managing technical maintenance, asset lifecycle and maximize the value and advantage of our assets," Rand Water said.

The company noted that it will conduct two types of infrastructure and asset maintenance including proactive (planned) and unplanned, explaining that proactive maintenance is scheduled and aimed at preserving the quality, integrity and lifespan of our water infrastructure.

The maintenance is scheduled to begin this Saturday with the Eikenhof System in Mogale. However, the customers are not expected to be affected.

The water utility explained that it has engaged with municipal customers - continues to engage and officially notify them - regarding the upcoming maintenance project to ensure that they have a 21-day period to plan.

Furthermore, Rand Water has "put appropriate contingency plans in place, manage storage capacity prior and during the maintenance period and inform their customers accordingly."

"Impacted Municipalities are requested to advise their customers on the extent and impact of water supply and on contingency plans that will be put in place. Rand Water will provide updates throughout the maintenance period," it added.

Last week, the City of Tshwane and the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) signed an agreement to address water issues in the city.

Under this newly signed agreement, the department and the municipality will collaborate on things like infrastructure planning and development, water resource planning and infrastructure solutions and capacity building for the municipal officials.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile last month highlighted the importance of strategic engagement and collaboration to resolve the issue of water shortages hurting various municipalities, including those within Gauteng.