Residents of Braamfischerville in Johannesburg are urged to prepare for a critical 10-hour water shutdown scheduled from 18:00 on 16 January 2026 to 08:00 on 17 January 2026. This planned outage, affecting Phases 1, 2, and 3, is not an emergency but a necessary step by Rand Water to upgrade the city’s aging water infrastructure—a microcosm of a national challenge.
The core technical work involves replacing outdated mechanical meters at the Roodepoort Deep Township installation with advanced magnetic flow meters. Unlike mechanical meters, which can degrade in accuracy over time, magnetic meters provide precise, real-time data on water flow without impeding pressure. This upgrade is a key part of Rand Water’s broader strategy to strengthen bulk supply systems across Gauteng by improving monitoring, reducing non-revenue water (water that is produced but “lost” before it reaches the customer), and enabling more proactive maintenance.
Planned maintenance and affected areas
Practical Steps for Residents During the Shutdown
To ensure a smooth restoration and protect your own plumbing, Johannesburg Water provides specific guidance:
- Store water in advance: Fill clean containers, bathtubs, and kettles for drinking, cooking, and essential hygiene.
- Keep taps CLOSED: This is crucial. Open taps during the restoration process can lead to airlocks (air trapped in pipes that blocks water flow) and sudden pressure surges that may damage appliances and connections.
- After supply returns: Once water is restored, let taps run for a short period to clear any sediment. Then, actively check for and report any leaks on your property or in the street. Prompt reporting prevents water loss and infrastructure damage. Residents can report issues via the Johannesburg Water hotline or app.
Minister renews call for water-saving measures
Beyond the Shutdown: A National Call for Water Stewardship
The timing of this local maintenance coincides with a powerful national message from Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina. As South Africa faces persistent water scarcity, her directives extend beyond the festive season to form a blueprint for year-round conservation:
- Household Responsibility: Fix leaking taps and toilets immediately (a dripping tap can waste thousands of litres a year). Avoid filling swimming pools and irrigate gardens only in the early morning or evening to minimise evaporation.
- Community and Municipal Action: Majodina highlighted the need to protect and harness alternative sources, like local springs, by installing proper piping and reservoirs—a move towards decentralised, resilient water systems. She also issued a stark warning: conservation savings are “undermined by leaks, illegal connections, and poor enforcement” of bylaws, placing the onus on municipalities to manage demand and secure infrastructure.
The Bigger Picture: Infrastructure Progress and Future Supply
This local shutdown occurs against the backdrop of massive national water projects. Minister Majodina’s recent oversight visit to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase II is particularly significant. This multi-billion-rand bi-national project, involving the construction of the Polihali Dam and transfer tunnels, is designed to significantly increase water transfer from Lesotho to South Africa’s Vaal River System, which supplies Gauteng.
Majodina expressed satisfaction with the progress, noting that “Rand Water is ready for more water to come. They have built enough infrastructure.” This statement underscores a critical point: augmenting supply is only half the battle. The parallel work—upgrading meters in Roodepoort, fixing municipal leaks, and expanding local reservoirs—is what ensures this new water translates into reliable supply for households and economic growth. The Braamfischerville shutdown, while a temporary inconvenience, is a tangible investment in that reliability.
In essence, the January 2026 shutdown is more than a notice; it’s a case study in the continuous, layered effort required to secure South Africa’s most precious resource: from high-tech meter upgrades and citizen preparedness to national infrastructure projects and a fundamental shift towards collective water stewardship.